Harriet set the tray down and walked from the tent. Her heart was heavy on account of the deception she had practised. Her pride had been wounded, too. Did Cora Kidder think her so stupid as not to know what had been going on? Then the next thought was one of remorse that she had deceived Miss Partridge and Mrs. Livingston.
"My offense is as great as theirs," accused Harriet.
At that juncture her attention was attracted to a girl running toward her. It was Crazy Jane. Harriet walked away from the tent. Jane came up with her a few yards further on.
"Harriet, what is the matter?" she demanded, bending a keen glance into the face of Harriet Burrell.
"Oh, Jane. I'm so unhappy," replied Harriet sadly.
"Tell me all about it darling" begged Jane soothingly, linking an arm within that of her companion, leading her farther into the woods.
"Oh, yes, I will tell you. I must tell you. I am bursting, I shall go mad if I do not tell some one. But Jane, you must keep secret what I tell you. You must promise me that."
"If it's your secret, I'll promise. If it isn't, I won't promise."
Harriet regarded her companion steadily for a moment.
"I must tell you," she whispered. Then, haltingly, at first, Harriet told Jane that Cora Kidder had slipped away in the night and gone to the dance at "The Pines." There could be no doubt of it. Jane learned from Harriet of the conversation that she had overheard, was reminded of the visit of Mr. Collier the day before and was made acquainted with Cora's return to the tent while the Camp Girls were at their breakfast, a time when one might be certain of finding the camp clear of prying eyes.