Connie lived next door to Veve. Nearly always she stood up for her friend, who was the newest and youngest member of the Brownie troop.
“Anyway, I haven’t missed the hike,” Veve sighed, sinking down on the steps. “When do we start?”
“Miss Gordon is in the kitchen checking over the things we’re to take,” informed Connie. “Oh, here she comes now.”
At that moment, Miss Jean Gordon, the Brownie leader, appeared on the porch. Over her shoulder was slung a knapsack filled with ingredients for a trail meal.
“Everybody ready?” she inquired gaily.
“Let’s go!” shouted Eileen Webber, springing up from the porch swing.
The seven Brownies and Miss Gordon had planned a late afternoon hike to Pearson Ravine, a natural park one mile beyond the outskirts of Rosedale.
Connie, Veve and Miss Gordon led the way down the street. Directly behind, in orderly file, came Eileen, Jane, Rosemary Fritche and Belinda Matthews. Sunny Davidson carried the big tin can in which the Brownie Scouts planned to cook their outdoor meal.
“I’m so hungry I scarcely can wait until we eat,” declared Veve, skipping along beside Miss Gordon.
“So soon?” laughed the Brownie troop leader. “It will be a long while before we reach the ravine and start our fire.”