“Three cheers for Captain Campbell,” cried Percy.
Miss Campbell rose and lifted her little crinkled hand for silence.
“I accept the responsibility of Sunrise Camp,” she said, “under the conditions I am about to state: that I am not asked to go canoeing in one of those tippy little boats without seats; that I am not persuaded against my better judgment to climb to the top of a mountain, for I simply won’t, I tell you beforehand; and that nothing shall interfere with my afternoon nap.”
“I am sure that these mild requests will be agreeable to all concerned,” said Mr. Campbell. “Will the company state objections, if any?”
There was a dead silence.
“Captain Campbell, consider yourself installed as absolute ruler in this camp.”
“Papa, why be so businesslike?” asked Billie.
“Because there must always be a certain amount of system in a camp or it won’t run. I’ve lived in camp so much more than in houses that I know, and since I can’t be with you until later, I think it wise to get things started in this way before I go——”
“The car is ready, sir,” said the village chauffeur at the door.
The Motor Maids had begun to learn by this time that it was invariably Mr. Campbell’s way to leave his guests in a cheerful frame of mind, and they all knew perfectly well that “Rules for Sunrise Camp” had been prepared chiefly for Billie’s sake, that she would be still laughing when her father kissed her good-by and still smiling when he turned to wave his hat for the last time. She had been very homesick for him lately during his absences from West Haven, perhaps because she had been run down in health and tired out. And to-day, in spite of all the laughing and joking, her eyes filled with tears as she watched the car creep down the mountain road to the valley.