Not a demur was heard when Mrs. Vernon suggested bed, and the hard cots must have felt like a nest of feathers to the newly-fledged scouts, for soon every one was fast asleep.
[CHAPTER SIX—FIRST LESSONS IN SCOUT WORK]
A loud drumming on a tin pan roused the would-be scouts in the morning, and each girl tumbled out of her cot feeling as if she had slept on roses. The invigorating air and the benefit of sleeping out-of-doors began to be felt. Then the odor of cooking was wafted in through the tent opening, and Joan ran to look out.
“Oh!” sniffed she, “Verny’s up and dressed and has something awfully good cooking for breakfast!”
“Um-m—I should say she has!” added Julie, running over to join Joan at the tent door.
“What is it, Verny?” called a chorus of girls, and as the Captain turned to reply she saw four tousled heads crowded out of the opening.
“Can’t tell secrets until you’ve washed and dressed!” laughed Mrs. Vernon.
It was not long, therefore, before the hungry campers joined her about the fire and wanted to know what smelled so good. The Captain was adding a pinch of salt to the “something” in the pot, so she did not look up, but said hastily:
“Will some one watch that toast—it seems to be scorching.”
“Did you ever! Making toast on a stone!” laughed Julie, trying to turn over the slices with a stick.