But Peggy had finished her task by this time and, getting up with a great kettle of corn swinging on her arm, remarked cheerfully: “Glad I am through with my work, especially as I won’t be at home to eat any of the corn. You remember, Tante, that Bettina and Vera and I are going off for a ride with our new Camp Fire guide. We have finished our share of the work.”
Vera continued being busy for a few moments, but Bettina got up slowly, still holding the book half open in her hand.
Something in her manner annoyed Mrs. Burton and she spoke quickly and thoughtlessly after her old fashion:
“You and Vera seem to have been industrious enough, Peggy, but I cannot see that Bettina has done a conspicuous share.”
She was sorry the next instant, for Bettina made no reply but, flushing, walked quietly away.
She was not accustomed to criticism and it had been difficult to keep her temper.
But Peggy waited until she was out of hearing and then deliberately set down her kettle.
“That was not fair of you, Tante, and you give a wrong impression of Bettina to the other girls. She was reading some Indian legends which I asked her to learn and tell at our camp fire this evening. They form as much a part of our honor work as other things, and I thought, if we were to visit the Indian reservations and see their summer festivals, it would be interesting to know more about them. Good-by; don’t worry about us; we shan’t be long.”
Then off she and Vera went toward their sleeping tent in order to change to their riding clothes.
They left Mrs. Burton feeling suddenly discouraged with herself as a Camp Fire guardian when, a few moments before, the atmosphere had been so serene. She was particularly sorry that the one girl with whom she seemed least able to get on was the daughter of her most beloved friend.