After the foreman had left them, they climbed the slopes of the hill, and enjoyed the magnificent view from the summit. Then, as it was nearing noon, Jack suggested lunch.
“I’m keen to see what Aunt Betty has had put up for us,” he remarked, “and what I’ll do to it will be a sin and a shame.”
“Let’s go out into the woods to eat it,” suggested Cora.
“Isn’t this woods enough for you?” asked Paul, as he looked around.
“Not while we’re in sight of the mill,” returned Cora. “I want to go right out into the wild wilderness.”
“Mightn’t we get lost?” inquired Belle rather doubtfully.
“It’s easier to get into the wilderness sometimes than it is to get out of it,” added Bess.
“I guess it’s safe enough,” remarked Jack. “We won’t go very far, and I have a compass with me, anyway.”
There was no further protest. The boys went back to the cars and got the lunch basket. Then they rejoined the girls, and the party plunged gaily into the woods.
“We don’t know where we’re going, but we’re on the way,” chanted Walter.