“I’m going to, Ben,” replied Julia. “My Aunt Marie is bringing me something from Paris. I’ll be on hand to welcome her, never fear,” said the blonde girl archly.
“We are going to give up camp, Ben,” announced his own sister, Grace. “Won’t you have a bun, or something else to eat?” she invited the boy, who stood with hands in pockets, plainly admiring the camp life freedom before him.
“Going to give up?” he almost shouted. “Then can we fellows have it?”
“Oh, Ben, perhaps you boys could have it after the next two weeks, but for that time we are going to sacrifice it for some very needy city children, who only get a breath of real air when they come up on an excursion,” explained Grace.
“Oh, a fresh air camp!” Benny’s voice fell in disappointment.
“Not just that kind,” continued the sister, “but we saw some poor, little pale faces the other day, and we just couldn’t stand their longing for a few days in the real country. So we are all going back to our cottages, and going to give up the Comalong for two weeks before school opens.”
“Then where would we fellows come in? Two weeks before school——”
“Our schools don’t open till later,” explained Louise, “and you know, Benny, September is the most beautiful month to camp,” she placated.
“Every month is good enough,” insisted the boy, “but of course, if you’ve promised.” He was evidently not fired with the same sort of philanthropy that inspired the girls.
“Come on, Benny, try our camp-made Johnny-cake,” urged Louise. “Just think, we bake that right on top of that stone oven.”