“I doubt you’ll learn anything by talking to her,” Miss Gordon told the four girls. “But run along if you like. I’ll stay here with Jane and Rosemary. We’ll finish tidying up while you’re gone.”
“Just don’t take all day,” Jane tossed at them. “We want to start home before too long.”
Taking the empty thermos bottle with them, Eileen, Sunny, Veve and Connie started down the winding stairway.
“You know the trail?” Miss Gordon called after them.
“Oh, yes!” replied Veve confidently.
“We always can follow the trail markings,” added Connie.
Walking single file, the girls moved briskly off in the direction of the spring.
The trail they followed was number two and at intervals was marked with a tiny numeral “2” on little wooden signboards.
The girls made a great deal of noise as their shoes crackled through the leaves and dry pine needles. Gaily they trotted along, wondering what they would say when they met the old lady at the spring.
They were certain she must be going there, for after the trail crossed the rustic bridge, it ended rather abruptly.