The fright of the day before had not left a very deep impression. Sleep and a feeling of safety had almost effaced it.
Presently they were back at the tent making tea and boiling eggs supplied by Granny Ann from the Gypsy larder. Ruth wanted to build a fire, but they decided that the ground was too dry to risk it. The Gypsies had dug a small trench all around their camp fire. If they had not, those splendid old woods would have been in serious danger of burning, explained Barbara, who had been reading a great deal in the papers about forest fires.
It was arranged, after breakfast, that one of the men should ride over with a note to Major Ten Eyck’s, asking the major to send for them at once, and also to dispatch his chauffeur to mend the slashed tires.
The Gypsy camp had been astir long before the automobilists arose, and the men were now sitting at their ease around the clearing, smoking silently, while Granny Ann and two other women were moving about the tents, “cleaning up,” as Ruth expressed it.
“They have a lovely chance to learn housework,” said Grace. “But they do seem to air their bedclothes. Look at all those red comforts hanging on the bushes.”
“It’s easier to air them than to make up the beds,” observed Mollie. “All you have to do in the morning, is to hang your blanket on a hickory limb, and when you go to bed, snatch it off the limb and wrap up in it for the night.”
“Do you suppose they sleep in their clothes?” pondered Barbara.
“Why, of course they do,” replied Ruth. “You don’t for a moment imagine they would ever go to the trouble of undressing, only to dress again in the morning?”
“Girls, girls,” remonstrated Miss Sallie, “we must not forget that we are accepting their hospitality. Besides, here comes that young woman with the voice.”
“Let’s take Zerlina as a guide, and go for a walk,” cried Ruth. “I’m so full of life and spirits this morning that I couldn’t possibly sit down like those lazy men over there, who seem to have nothing to do but smoke and talk. Auntie, dear, will you go, or shall we fix you a comfortable seat with the cushions under this tree and leave you to read your book?”