“The ladies may remain over-night at the school-convent, and I shall be delighted to entertain you men as my guests,” added the father, thus relieving the minds of the scouts as to a possible sleeping place that night.
The entire party went with the father to see the children and to partake of supper in the refectory, but it looked as if the sisters had been warned of the expected guests: the swarthy little Navajos were out in the playgrounds having a fine time. Some were enjoying true American games, and some were walking or reading in secluded corners of the grounds.
Vespers were attended with deep reverence by the little ones who so shortly before had been racing about like mad. Then, after the evening prayers, they were taken to supper. Meantime, the Mother Superior came and welcomed the scout-party with a wonderful smile that glowed in their hearts because it was genuine hospitality that gave it birth.
“We will now sup in the refectory, my friends,” said the Superior, leading the way to a room where the table was set for her and the visitors. And such delicious viands as the girls were given for supper that night! Julie could not help whispering to Joan, who sat next to her: “Where do they get the things to cook such wonderful goodies?”
“S-sh!” whispered Joan in reply. “Say nothing, but keep busy at it, Jule! We shall never have another chance like this.”
“Now, my friends, if you have supped, we will go out and please the children by watching them at their native games. They particularly wished to show the girl scouts of the East some new and entertaining pastimes,” said Superior, rising, and then bending her head in thanksgiving for the food. Every one in the party did likewise, for each one felt the joy of giving thanks to the Power that gave others such love as was being shown in this Navajo Mission by helping those less fortunate in education and ways of the civilized world.
“Not but that the Indians had their own civilization long before Americus Vespucius ever discovered the land!” said Julie to Mrs. Vernon.
“Yes, but it isn’t the same kind of civilization, and so it does not count with the world and its stereotyped laws of society,” whispered the Captain in reply.
They followed the Superior out to the play-ground where a circle of sconces made of pitch and a form of cactus fiber lighted the place as well as any one could expect for an outdoor entertainment. After the guests were seated upon rude benches the games began.
One of the sweet-faced convent teachers came forward and said: “John Sweetwater wishes to entertain the visitors by doing a problem play for them to guess. John, come forward.”