We allowed about an hour and a half for hiking around through the woods. We didn't think it would take that long, but we knew the land was low and we guessed that the lake might run into marshes. Safety first. But we found a trail in the woods and it was easy going. So the way it happened, we got to Camp Smile Awhile a little before twelve instead of at one. It was lucky for Camp Smile Awhile that reinforcements reached the bloody scene in time to save the day—I mean the dinner.
The first thing we saw was a good-sized tent and the next—oh, Christopher Columbus, what a sight! Talk about the West Front!
There were girls sitting all around on the ground, simply screaming. Close to the fireplace, that was made out of stones, stood Pee-wee with a great big white apron on that went right down to his feet.
"It—it—would have been all right if I hadn't tripped," we heard him say; "that could happen——"
"Look at him," I said to the fellows; "only look at him. He looks like the end of a perfect day."
All over his hair was yellow stuff, and there was flour on his face and all over his stockings and shoes. There were big black smootches on his face, too. He had a can in one hand and a girls' curling iron in the other and a big greasy frying pan under one arm.
We were about a hundred feet off, among the trees, and we just stood there staring and trying not to scream.
"This is terrible," Westy said; "what do you suppose happened?"
"What's he doing with the curling iron?" Wig whispered.