“How interesting!” exclaimed Bab. “I hope Miss Sallie won’t object.”
“We shall have to get the major on our side,” replied Stephen, “and perhaps win her over, too.”
“Oh, she is not really so strict,” replied Bab, “but she feels the responsibility of looking after other peoples’ children, she says.”
“Here we are,” said Stephen, as the cars stopped at Ten Eyck Hall.
CHAPTER XIV—IN THE DEEP WOODS
It was not such a difficult matter, after all, to win permission from Miss Sallie and the major to take the walk through the forest. The major explained to Miss Sallie that Stephen was a safe and careful guide who knew the country by heart, and that if the girls were equal to the walk there would be no danger in the excursion. The party, however, dwindled to five persons, Bab and Ruth, Stephen, Jimmie and Alfred. The latter appeared early, equipped for the walk, carrying a heavy cane, his trousers turned up over stout boots.
“Now, Stephen,” said Miss Sallie, “I want you to promise me to take good care of the girls. You say the woods are not dangerous, although a highwayman stepped out of them one evening and attacked us with a knife. But I take your word for it, since the major says it is safe and I see Alfred is armed.”
Everybody laughed at this, and Alfred looked conscious and blushed.
“Doesn’t one carry a cane in this country?” he asked.
“Not often at your age, my boy,” replied Jimmie. “But I daresay it will serve to beat a trail through the underbrush.”