“To the Scout Camp?” Beverly inquired.
“Oh, no! Only to the resort area.” Judy folded the telegram and placed it in the pocket of her slacks. “Aunt Mattie, as usual, must have acted on impulse. Anyway, she wants me to find her a nice cottage with reasonable rent.”
“And you haven’t a bed to call your own!” chuckled Kathleen. “From what I’ve heard, space is at a premium in this locality.”
“That’s right,” agreed Ardeth. “I noted as we drove up the mountain, that there were no vacancies anywhere. Everything seemed to have been taken.”
“I saw one place for rent,” Virginia informed the group. “Remember that sign that said: ‘To Calico Cave?’”
“Yes, I noticed it particularly,” nodded Judy. “I was wondering if Calico Cave is only a name, or if the road leads to a real cave.”
“A cottage that looked practically new stood on the opposite side of the road,” Virginia went on. “It was rather cute, I thought. At any rate, a signboard in the yard said the place was for rent. A real estate man’s name was given, but I didn’t make note of it.”
“That cottage may be just the ticket!” Judy declared. “I’ll talk to Miss Ward, and if she says I may, I’ll try to rent the place tomorrow.”
Actually, it was nearly noon the next day before the girls gave further thought to Aunt Mattie’s housing problem. Camp routine absorbed them completely. There were so many fascinating things to do, so many interesting places to explore, that they neither desired nor sought permission to leave Pine Cone.
A brisk swim in the lake preceded breakfast, and after the camp work was done, there were classes in nature lore and first aid.