"Thank you, I know we shall," and the Captain's words found echo in the hearts of the girls.
"Let's go fishing! I see a stream that ought to have fish in!" cried
Cleo.
"Let's get our uniforms on and go for a hike. I've never been in these woods before!" cried Margaret.
"Let's see if we can find any specimens—fossils or the like," came from Cleo, who had lately developed a collecting fever.
"Let's eat!" declaimed Grace. "I'm starved!"
"I think the last suggestion is best," decided Captain Clark. "We can soon change into our uniforms, and after a meal, which I judge should be called dinner instead of lunch, we may take a walk, or fish, or hike, or fossilize, as you then elect."
"De dinnah am 'mos' ready," announced Alameda, the colored cook.
"Oh, where have I heard them joyous words before?" cried Cleo, pretending to faint into Margaret's arms.
"I golly! Dem suah am lively li'l gals! Dey suah am!" declared Zeb, as he went off to get a fresh pail of water at the spring.
Soon the jolly little party, having the really well-appointed camp to themselves, sat down to a wild-wood meal. To say they enjoyed it is putting it mildly—far too mildly; they were "transported with joy," Grace insisted.