“Got it back! I thought those rascals smashed it up,” said Mr. Allison.
“No—they just hid it behind bushes and trees; only the grass mats and little ornaments were broken up,” explained Joan.
“Dear me! Do you mean to say that we brought this load of odds and ends all this way for nothing?” cried Mrs. Bentley.
“Of course not! Now we can entertain company over-night, you see. With that mattress and spring we can have two people,” declared Julie, looking at her companions for credit of this idea.
“That’s so! And we can furnish a regular bedroom with the chairs and table—and banquet lamp,” added Joan.
“But we will have to pin a notice on those chairs so no one will use them,” ventured Betty, doubtfully, looking at the legless objects.
Every one laughed, and Ruth added: “We’ll build new legs on to them.”
“You’ll have to build another hut to hold the furniture,” now said Mr. Gilroy.
This attracted all attention to the stranger, and Mrs. Vernon suddenly flushed crimson, and said: “Oh! What a poor scout hostess I make. I quite forgot to introduce our guest, Mr. Gilroy.” Then the usual ceremony took place, midst the laughter of every one, for Mrs. Vernon was considered to be very particular about social customs.
“Now that all this furniture is here, what shall we do with it?” asked Joan.