“Oh, I saw that something troubled her and I simply went to her and asked what it was. I had been just ahead of her when we left the Indian room and I suspected. But I did not speak of that. I usually can persuade people to tell me the things that worry them.”
Mrs. Burton took Bettina’s hand.
“I am glad we were friends before this happened, but I am afraid matters are still wrong as I now have the problem of Gerry. I did not dream of the difficulties a Camp Fire guardian might have; certainly not of so unsuccessful a one as I am. Gerry will have to go back, and I had hoped we might do something for her.”
Polly stopped and hesitated.
“Please, not on my account,” Bettina urged gently. “After all, it was only a silly thing that Gerry did—not worth much attention.”
“And after all you have always said, Gerry has not had the chance the rest of us have had,” Peggy interposed, which was good of her, since she had not liked Gerry from the beginning, and liked her even less well now.
Mrs. Richard Burton gave an expressive shrug of her slender shoulders.
“I expect I am more at fault than any one else; but life is a matter of the future—not of the past—isn’t it? And yet I am sure we have all learned many worthwhile things from our few months of campfire life together. So, suppose we let Gerry have another chance. In the meantime we may be missing a wonderful sight. Let us walk toward Oraibi together.”
Taking Bettina’s arm in hers, Mrs. Burton left her tent, Vera and Peggy just behind. Then, after calling the other girls, they went again toward the road near the mesa crowned with the village of Oraibi.
In the plain above they could faintly see the Snake Priests moving around in a large circle—then more and more quickly. It was not possible to appreciate exactly what they were doing, for, although the Camp Fire party had found a slight elevation to stand upon, the mesa remained many feet above.