“I think we do,” answered Harriet. “I would suggest that we go through the forehand and backhand strokes to make certain that we are right.”
Disbrow nodded his approval. Most of the girls hit it the first time, all on the second trial.
“Now we will practise the various strokes, first going over what we learned this morning.”
The practice for the rest of the day was real work. There was no inspiration in it, though the Meadow-Brook spirit was strong upon the four girls, and not for a moment did they permit themselves to feel the monotony that the Tramp Boys long since had found. The girls devoted themselves painstakingly to every stroke taught them. The new instruction meant the undoing of much that they had already learned, but that was to be expected. The girls were not to be disturbed by it.
Late in the afternoon they asked permission to play a game, but the Englishman declined to allow it.
“You may not play a game even to-morrow,” he added. “It will depend upon the progress you make for the rest of the day and to-morrow forenoon.”
He was so patient and gentle with them that the girls, knowing what a trial they must be, found themselves greatly drawn to their instructor.
There seemed to be little difference in the progress of the girls, except in the case of Tommy. Her companions were amazed at her work. One would not have thought it of Tommy Thompson. She was as pleased over her success and as enthusiastic as any of her companions. Added to this was a full measure of the Meadow-Brook “do or die” spirit that always had characterized this little organization of wide-awake girls.
After supper they all sat and talked around the campfire, before which the Englishman comfortably stretched himself, after having asked permission to do so. Later on in the evening the boys escorted him to his tent. On the morrow they were to move him over to their own camp, his ankle now being strong enough to enable him to walk about with some degree of comfort.
“Well, what do you think about them?” was Captain George’s eager question when they had entered the Englishman’s tent that night.