“I’m not smart, it’s Helen who thought up this plan,” insisted Douglas. “We are so glad you have come and we do hope you will like it.”
“Like it! We are wild about it,” cried Dee, and Page Allison was equally enthusiastic.
“Where is Helen?” demanded Dum.
“She is chief cook and can’t make her appearance until she has put the finishing touches to supper.”
“Does she really cook, herself?” cried Dee. “How grand!”
“Sometimes she cooks herself,” drawled Nan, coming into the tent to see the Tuckers, who were great favorites with her, too, “sometimes when we get out of provisions, which we are liable to do now as six persons have come who had not written me for accommodations.”
“Mother and father got here from a long trip this afternoon,” explained Douglas, “and we are so upset over seeing them that we are rather late. Helen usually does all she has to do before the week-enders come.”
“Let us help!” begged Dee. “Dum and I can do lots of stunts, and Page here is a wonderful pie slinger.”
“Well, we would hardly press Miss Allison into service when she has just arrived,” smiled Douglas.
“Please, please don’t Miss Allison me! I’m just Page and my idea of camping is cooking, so if I can help, let me,” and Page, who had said little up to that time, spoke with such genuine frankness that Douglas and Nan felt somehow that a new friend had come into their circle.