A moment she was nonplussed and slightly angry. Then she had the good sense to realize that Martha had not intended to be unkind. What she had said was undoubtedly true.
If she were rarely sensible at any time, Tory appreciated that she had become less so since her last talk with Kara.
Not an hour since had the problem of Kara been out of her mind.
Indeed, since the news of the result of what had first seemed a simple accident had reached the camp of the Girl Scouts in Beechwood Forest, the entire summer to which they had looked forward so joyously seemed to offer only disappointment.
They were only fourteen in number and Kara was individually dear to each one of them. Seven of the group were in Kara’s own Patrol, the others, members of her Troop of the Eagle’s Wing.
If they suffered some disadvantages over the larger summer camps for girls they had the advantage of a peculiar and intimate feeling for one another. The fact that Martha Greaves was the one outsider added a special interest. Rarely a half day passed that one of the Girl Scouts did not make some inquiry of Martha concerning their respective organizations.
She was glad enough to answer and they were learning from each other.
The Girl Scouts of the Eagle’s Wing had worked at their scouting during the past winter with pleasure and faith, but occasional meetings could not bring the results these past few magical weeks at camp had accomplished.
All day long they were outdoors, at night the tent flaps were oftentimes left open for a better view of the sky and the feel of the wind.
All their own work had they undertaken and life had never appeared more practical, simple and delightful.