Nora was out of water and shaking herself like a poodle. Now that it was all over, the thrill was unmistakable.
“Look who’s coming!” called out one of the girls, and turning around Nora glimpsed Ted coming down the narrow path.
“Quick, Nora, hide!” exclaimed Wyn. “Then spring out and surprise her.”
Obeying, Nora jumped behind a big bush.
Even in the excitement she realized what companionship meant. It was so much more fun than playing at foolish dressing up and imagination games. Could she have but understood more clearly she would have recognized in that situation the theory of having girls “do” to learn, and that active sport of the young is one of the standards of Scout teaching.
She listened as the girls greeted Mrs. Manton. No gasps of alarm nor expressions of fear were exchanged, for Cousin Ted was of the Scout calibre herself.
“Better hang on the hickory limbs and dry, before your leader sees you,” she cautioned. “Those uniforms won’t be fit for parade.”
“And mine was all beautifully pressed,” whimpered Pell.
“So were all our suits, Mrs. Manton,” asserted Thistle, “because we were calling on you first.”
“Really! Did you see my little girl?”