“By the way, where are they?” asked Ruth. “Certainly they must be awake and stirring. No one could sleep with the Terrible Three abroad and screaming.”
“They were all up when we started out to hunt you and Emmy. That is, all except Blanche.” Jane’s accompanying shrug was eloquent of her feelings.
“Blanche hates to get up in the morning,” observed Emmy. “I’ve already told you girls about what a time her mother used to have waking her when we were at Silver Birch Inn last summer.”
“Very likely she is tired out,” excused Ruth considerately. “She’s not used to long hikes like the one we took yesterday. We’ll have to give her time, children, to grow into our ways.”
Ruth’s pertinent speech brought momentary pause in the conversation. In the minds of all five girls rose a vision of Blanche as she had very recently appeared to them. It was not a vision which carried encouragement in its wake.
“Let’s hope she grows into them soon.” Uncharitable Jane broke the little silence, which had fallen upon the group on the sands, with this satirical comment on Blanche Shirly. Despite her promise to “be a little bit nice to Blanche,” Jane could not resist this one fling at her.
“Leave it to Plain Jane to speak the epilogue,” jibed Frances. “Come on, Equitable Five, let’s go up to the cottage. I am hungry as a hunter. Lucky for us that Marian and Betty were detailed to help Martha with the breakfast. While we are gaily gallivanting along the sands, they are toiling in the kitchen.”
“I am glad we decided yesterday, when we first came, to divide the work. It’s strictly Camp Fire procedure, and besides we wouldn’t feel right to allow Miss Drexal and Martha to do all the housekeeping,” confided Ruth to Emmy as they started up the steep path to the cottage.
“It will be a lark.” Emmy’s eyes sparkled. “Last year, when we went camping, I played at being an ornament. This time I intend to get busy and learn to do various useful things. I am going to earn a whole collection of honor beads as soon as ever I can.”
“You’ve done very well, already,” praised Ruth. “I expect to see you a Torch Bearer before long.”