"But she placed me in your care!" exulted Nita, triumphantly.
"Very well then, come with me and I will hear you—later I will see what is to be done," came unexpectedly from the Guide.
Nita frowned, but having trapped herself, she could not retreat by saying that Miss Miller had no right to question her.
At first the stubborn girl would not speak a word, so Miss Miller went over to her trunk and began unlocking it.
When she found that she must confess or go home, she told, little by little, about the afternoon's experience.
Finally, Miss Miller heard all she needed to know. Nita had walked along the road past Hamilton's place until a young man in a fine dog-cart came by. He mistook her for a dear friend in the city and stopped to invite her for a ride. When Nita explained that she was not the friend, he was very charming indeed, and wanted to drive her back to the camp. She demurred at first, but the shower threatened and he said she must get in and permit him to take her to his house which was nearby, until the rain was over. The house was much farther than Nita dreamed, and they just got under shelter of the wagon-shed in time. She did not go to the house, as the downpour prevented them. As soon as the shower was over they started back, but Mr. Everton lost the way and took the wrong turn. That was what delayed them so long.
"Nita, you will write and tell your mother everything you told me just now, and anything you have forgotten to say. Will you allow me to read the letter before you close it, please, as it must be plainly explained to her. If she wishes you to come home, all right; but if you remain here, it will be on a very different basis than heretofore. If you do not write, I will, and I will not interpret your act as kindly as you may do for yourself!"
Nita began crying, and begged Miss Miller not to send her home. She wanted to stay at camp. Her mother and father were dreadfully strict with her and she would have a wretched summer in the city if she went home.
"Then I should think you would take the same interest in camp as the others do—if you are sincere in wishing to remain. You have shirked every given task and made things very unpleasant for all of us, since we came to camp," said the Guide.
"Well, please, do not send me back and don't write! I'll explain everything to mother!"