"Oh, yes. And, Miss Miller, she often said to me, what a lucky girl Jane was to have a chance to see so many nice fellows! Then, when she comes to my house, she always acts so silly when Fiji is about. He gets simply disgusted with her ninny airs and foolish things she does to attract his attention!"
"Humph! I see!" murmured the Guide, but she did not explain to Zan what it was she saw.
The two rejoined the girls and supper preparations continued in silence. Miss Miller had almost decided to send out an alarm by Mr. Hamilton when she saw Nita coming up the slope.
"Oh, hello, girls! Anybody get wet?" called she, as she came near enough to be heard.
Although the three other girls knew nothing of Nita's escapade, they felt that she had misbehaved in some way.
"Nita, can you explain satisfactorily where you have been all this time—and not have been caught in the rain?" asked the Guide, sternly.
"Oh, I had a nice time! Better than if I had gone mountain-climbing, I guess. I'm quite old enough to take care of myself, and, you see, I am safe and sound!" laughed she, with a hint of confusion.
"I see more than you give me credit for! You will get a pencil and pad at once and write to your mother, exactly where you went and what you did this afternoon."
"What difference will it make to mother? She isn't down here to take care of me?" replied Nita, impudently.
"Because she is your guardian by law and she must hear what you have to say," said Miss Miller.