“We’re probably making altogether too much fuss about a little thing,” she said. “If we don’t happen to be alone on this end of the lake, that doesn’t say that our neighbors are all villains. This—this—prowler may have come simply out of curiosity.”
“Humph!” sniffed Grace. “Then why did he choose night time to satisfy his curiosity and why did he seem scared when he found we had heard him? Curiosity—huh!”
“Well, believe the worst if you want to,” returned Mollie, wearily. “Goodness, but I’m getting s-sleepy——”
“See here,” warned Grace, in a voice that once more startled Mollie’s eyes wide open. “If you think you have a chance of going to sleep and leaving me here to keep watch alone, you were never more mistaken in your life, Mollie Billette. You’ll stay awake if I have to stick pins in you.”
“Oh, all right,” returned Mollie, with a sigh, trying to settle herself in a more comfortable position, “if that’s the way you feel about it—But listen here, Grace, if I keep awake just to suit you, you’ve got to make yourself entertaining.”
“Well, of all the——” Grace began, breaking off to add with real curiosity: “Do you mean to tell me that you aren’t scared any longer?”
“I’m scared to death, but I’m sleepier yet,” returned Mollie, stifling a tremendous yawn. “Better hurry up, Grace. If you don’t start something interesting pretty quick I’m apt to drop off despite all the king’s horses and all the king’s men. Going—going—gone——”
“Hold on there,” broke in Grace desperately. “I have an idea. Why not play checkers?”
“Why not, indeed?” returned Mollie, opening her eyes with what almost seemed interest.
And so it came to pass that two Outdoor Girls spent the short time that still remained to dawn in a very peculiar manner. Luckily the girls seldom went anywhere without carrying some games with them and this habit stood them in good stead now.