So poor Tom Tit did the outside chores with the help of the boys, while the girls assisted Mr. McRae in the house.
Having breakfasted a little after dawn, by seven o’clock they were ready for their ten mile tramp back to the camp. The boys shouldered their guns and the sacks of fox grapes and squirrels. Mr. McRae took with him a small spade while Tom Tit carried a hoe.
“I can’t help thinking both of them are a bit loony,” Skeeter whispered to Lucy. “Why on earth do they want to carry garden tools on a ten mile tramp?”
“Loony yourself! I reckon they want to dig something.”
The old gentleman, as though divining Skeeter’s thoughts, remarked:
“Tom Tit and I have a little duty to attend to today, so we are taking our implements. There are several springs I have not been able to visit this summer and I am going to combine duty with pleasure and look after them today.”
“Look after springs! What for?” from Skeeter.
“I thought I told you that I am a spring-keeper. Perhaps you don’t know what a spring-keeper is.”
“N—o! Not exactly!” said Skeeter.