“And I’m Peg—you may, if you will” (she pleasantly imitated the voice Grace had used), “just call me Peg,” she finished rather shyly.
It was such an agreeable surprise to find her approachable. Immediately both Scouts fell to talking of their camp prospects, and very naturally asked Peg to call.
“We know you are the original Scout of these hills,” Grace complimented, “and I hope you don’t mind our trespassing.”
“Oh, no,” replied Peg, but the voice was a little guarded. “The hills are big enough for us all,” she added, “and I don’t think you could have found a prettier spot. You can see clear across the lake from your front door,” and she smiled at the classification.
But she did not reply to the invitation. Both girls noticed the omission.
Cleo dipped her pail in the spring pool and brought it out filled. She wanted to rinse the new tin, although Corene had boiled it before bringing it out to camp, but to rinse it would cool it, and now Cleo looked about for a spot to throw the waste water.
“Toss it over this way,” suggested Peg, who was moving away. “There’s a water-cress bed here. Don’t forget to try them when you want a salad,” and before the Scouts could thank her she was racing over the next hill and waving good-bye.
“So we met Peg!” said Cleo, her pail of water spilling over her new sneaks.
“And she’s a dear,” announced Grace emphatically.
Then they carried a newly dipped pail of fresh spring water back to camp, for their first supper under the tamarack trees.