"Not to have any quarrels with those girls—Alice and Kittie."
"We never quarrel with girls," said Will.
"Well, then, with those boys, either."
"We won't do anything to provoke a quarrel if they don't, Sis," Will promised. "But we're not going to let them walk over us; eh, fellows?"
"Of course not!" cried Frank.
"Oh, but please don't get into a—a fight!" begged Grace, and she meant it.
"All right, little one; here is a chocolate for thou!" laughed Will, as he crowded one into her mouth.
For a few days our friends saw nothing of Alice and the rival campers. They did not go toward the part of the wood where the Jallow cabin was located, and Mrs. Jallow did not bring her charges toward the place where our boys and girls held forth.
There was little for Ted Franklin, Mr. Ford's man, to do, save to keep a watch over the camp, visiting the distant points on different days. In his trips he was often accompanied by some of the young people, who much enjoyed his company, for Mr. Franklin was an old woodsman, and many an interesting bit of information, or lore, he gave out, to the profit of the boys and girls.
"Hurray!" exclaimed Will one day, when a belated mail had come in. "Here's a letter from Mr. Blackford. He says he's coming up to pay us a visit soon."