When, some time later, four tired Outdoor Girls tested the wondrous new mattresses, they did not wonder at Will’s enthusiasm. It was, as the Little Captain had said, like floating on clouds.
Betty was the last to go to sleep. She lay for what seemed a long time, luxuriating in the air mattress and the thought that Frank and Will were in the makeshift tent so near them.
“If only——” she murmured drowsily, “if only Allen were with them.”
CHAPTER XVII
THE OLD MAID OF THE MOUNTAINS
Rather early the next morning, although the girls did their best to dissuade them, Frank and Will declared that they must be getting back to Deepdale.
“If we expect to come up for the week-end,” said Will, “we’ll have to work hard for the next two or three days.”
So the girls were forced to let them go, accompanying them quite a little distance along the rough woods road that led to the main highway a mile or two further on.
“If you girls need provisions or anything,” Frank told them just before they said good-by, “there are several prosperous farms a little further on that could supply you with fresh milk and eggs and butter.”
“See you later,” added Will, swinging his bicycle into position, adding, for Betty’s special benefit: “And next time we come we’ll bring Allen along.”