The boys shouted. “Good for you, Louise!” they cried, and a startled bullfrog gave a deep emotional croak at the noise, and jumped into the water.
It was moonlight, so the trip home was pleasanter than any they had had. They sang till they came close to Camp Karonya, where they quieted down for fear of disturbing the sleeping girls. But they need not have worried. Camp Karonya was improving the moonlight night by sitting around a watch-fire, singing and telling stories. They could hear Helen’s voice lifted up in “Old Uncle Ned,” with a mandolin accompanying her that probably belonged to Edith. The boys tied the boat and the canoe, and carried the suitcases and stretcher, so pleasingly empty, ashore. All five walked over to where the fire gleamed, and were in the midst of the girls before anyone had seen them come.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The girls jumped up and surrounded them.
“Where on earth have you been? What on earth have you been doing? Where in the name of common sense did you get that haughty black person who brought us news of you about six?” everybody wanted to know, while Adelaide and Nataly held brief reunions with their brothers, and six girls at once pressed refreshments on Lonny and Tom and Billy.
“We’ve sold most of your arts-and-crafts things,” announced Winona.
“And every stitch of embroidery,” added Louise.
“And we’ve been to a band concert and met a fairy godmother!” chanted Winona in her turn.
“And we have heaps and heaps of money!” finished Louise jubilantly.
Then all the girls cried out, “Oh, tell us about it! Tell us about it!”