Marie’s father was a professor in the high-school, and as a result she knew about more kinds of germs than the rest had ever heard of.
“Mother lets us bring in hurt animals, always, and look after them,” said Winona. “Germs can’t get you if you’re careful. We can wash our hands in disinfectant as soon as we get to the farmhouse. I have some in my first-aid kit.”
“And what are you going to do with the cat?” asked Louise, coming up to the other side of the stretcher and surveying the much-discussed animal without great affection.
“Keep it, if Mrs. Bryan doesn’t mind, as it doesn’t belong to anyone,” said Winona coolly. “It ought to make a good camp mascot.”
Louise eyed the kitten again—they were nearly at the farmhouse by this time.
“It isn’t exactly my idea of a mascot,” she said candidly. “What about Puppums? I thought he was elected to the position.”
“Well, then, the kitty can be the under-mascot,” said Winona undauntedly. “Anyway, when I get through nursing her she’ll be a perfectly good cat—see if she isn’t!”
“I doubt it!” said Louise and Marie together, as if they had been practising a duet.
“Wait!” said Winona as they mounted the steps.
There were plenty of rooms, for the farm people took boarders all August; but even so, there were not enough for nearly twenty people. However, Mrs. Norris, the farmer’s wife, had been prepared beforehand for the descent, and she had extra cots made up and ready in all the rooms, and unlimited hot water for baths.