The girls undid the rope that held the wood together, while the Guide went to her tent and gathered her books and papers. Coming back to the group she said, "We will hold a council before further work or play is proposed."
"But Nita isn't here—she stopped on the bridge," said Jane.
"I'm afraid Nita will be tardy then, or perhaps miss the meeting altogether!" replied the Guide, positively.
The girls were beginning to understand their teacher better than they had ever thought of comprehending any one; not from her words, for she did not need to say much when her face and voice expressed so much. Thus, they knew that the council called was because of Nita's delinquency.
"Zan, as Big Chief, you will call the roll," said Miss Miller.
This was done and Elena was called upon to read the entries in the Tally Book.
"Now, girls, we must recognize our obligation to each other and not feel as if this camp was started for pure pleasure and indolence. We must feel that a certain amount of fun combines with study or work to make the time well spent. I detest this constant nagging or advising, and regret that it seems necessary to talk so much about duty. I wish to call your attention to a page in the Manual of Woodcraft that I had no idea would ever be needed for us, under the sub-title of Law and Punishments."
The girls looked at each other in dismay. To think that one of their small number should make it necessary to take up the question of punishment!
Miss Miller read: "Punishments are meted out by the Chief and Council, after a hearing of the case. They consist of: Exclusion from the games or boats for a time. Reduction in rank, or of fines, etc. The extreme penalty is 'death'; that is, banishment from the Tribe. Elena, enter these items in the Tally Book."
Silence reigned when Miss Miller finished speaking.