"All right, Nita, then the three girls who did double duty by going back and forth twice to Bill's can lay down on the moss and rest," assented Miss Miller, and that was all that was said to Nita about her habit of getting out of anything she was not inclined to do. The girls took their cue from the Guide and rolled over on the grass and watched.
"Elena, after the cloth is shaken fold it carefully in the right creases. That keeps it smooth and tidy. If it is folded regardless of ironed folds, it soon looks mussy and soiled. I will take charge of the left-overs from supper—thank goodness there isn't much—and Nita will wash and wipe the dishes."
The atmosphere of the camp resumed a serenity fully appreciated by all, for anger displayed by one made all wretched.
"Girls, we will try to get up at the hour we want to rise every morning this summer—five o'clock. It is now seven-thirty. Whenever you are ready to retire say so and we will sing a camp-fire lullaby," said Miss Miller, as the girls sat about the dying fire too tired to talk.
"I'm ready for bed now," ventured Elena.
"I feel as stiff as anything! My back feels as if it would break!" added Hilda.
The Guide laughed. "That's from swimming. You'll soon get over it if you practice every day."
"I hope to goodness I can swim to-morrow. The way I feel now, I should say I couldn't move in the water!" laughed Elena.
Nita said nothing but she must have felt as lame as the other beginners; as all seemed to long for bed, Miss Miller rose and smothered the few red coals by covering them with dead grey ashes.
"Never leave a camp-fire with a spark of fire in it. At early dawn, or at least past midnight, fire always revives and, unless its flame has been choked by outside means, it flares up and consumes anything in its reach."