The Meadow Brook Girls Across Country Part 7

"A Gipsy. She called herself Sybarina," answered Harriet.

"And did the Gipsy tell your fortune, Harriet?"

"Yes, she did," cried Margery. "She said Harriet was going to be a great lady, rich and some other things that I didn't understand. Then Sybarina gave Harriet her blessing."

"Now, Jane," said Harriet mischievously. "Tell us about the way you ran down the farmer's calf."

Jane gazed at Harriet frowningly, then burst into laughter.

"What do you know about that? Who has been telling tales?"

"The farmer said you shaved the hair off the calf's tail with your car."

"I was sorry for the calf, but you ought to have seen the farmer wave his arms and run after me. He was fairly pulling the hair out of his head with rage," chuckled Crazy Jane. "Well, dears, what have you in mind? Want to take a nice ride in the car?"

Harriet shook her head with emphasis.

"When we started on this tramp we agreed that we wouldn't ride in your car at all. I, for one, am going to keep to that agreement."

"Don't tempt me," said Hazel, chancing to catch the merry eye of Jane McCarthy.

"We didn't agree not to eat in the car, did we?" questioned Tommy. "That latht gully I fell into gave me an awful appet.i.te."

"Wait! I'll set the table," cried Jane, das.h.i.+ng to the car and unlocking the luggage trunk at the rear. From under the rear seat she took a board, which she laid across the rear compartment. Over this she spread a white cloth and on it began placing a cold luncheon that was sufficiently appetizing in looks to excite the poorest appet.i.te. Tommy eyed it longingly.

"Get in, girls," commanded Jane. They made a rush for the car. "I have a can of milk in the locker, if the jolting of this old wagon hasn't soured it. You see, I drove rather fast this morning. I wanted to find you. I didn't know what had become of you. Yes; the milk is all right."

There in Jane's car by the side of the road they ate their luncheon, giving no heed to the curious glances of pa.s.sers-by.

"Did the farmer really tell you about that calf?" questioned Jane, when the girls had nearly finished their meal.

"Yes. It was in his barn we slept until it caught fire," explained the guardian. "He then took us to his home and he and his wife were perfectly lovely to us. I wish you had been with us. He is a quaint character."

"If he is anything like his calf, he must be," observed Crazy Jane. "It didn't know enough to get out of the road when it saw an automobile coming at forty-five miles an hour. Where are you going from here?"

"We must consult the map. Are there any good camping places beyond here, or were you going so fast you couldn't see?"

"I never drive so fast that I can't see," reproved Jane. "Yes. I know of a place, and it's a fine place for a camp too. It's called the Willow Ponds. It is just far enough back from the road, and there isn't a house in sight."

"How far is it from here?" asked Hazel.

"Five miles."

"Five mileth!" repeated Tommy wearily.

"Oh, help!" wailed Margery. "My feet won't hold out."

"Then ride with me," suggested Jane.

"Thank you," returned Margery, "but I consider walking the lesser of the two evils."

"I fear it will make too short a hike for us, for one day," reflected Miss Elting.

"It will make a ten mile hike," answered Harriet.

"Yes. But only five miles of walking on the main trail. We shall have advanced only five miles. However, perhaps it will be enough for one day."

"That latht gully I fell into gave me an awful appet.i.te," reiterated Tommy apologetically, as she helped herself to another slice of cold roast beef.

"Tommy's appet.i.te doesn't need that kind of stimulant," laughed Hazel.

"Nor does mine. I think I shall have to have another slice of roast beef."

The luncheon ended, the girls reclined on the soft cus.h.i.+ons of the car for half an hour, after which Harriet and Jane put away the dishes and the rest of the food.

"Are we ready to hike?" asked Harriet.

Margery's face took on a pained expression.

"Oh, I suppose so," she complained. "The sooner we start the sooner we shall get there. Then a long night's rest in our own tent. Oh, joy, oh, joy!"

"It may not be so very joyous, after all," retorted Miss Elting. "In this topsy-turvy bit of country _anything_ may happen, at _any_ moment, to keep us awake, or even to banish the wish for sleep."

"What we need," said Tommy soberly, "ith a nithe, good-natured dog that will bite folkth."

Miss Elting decided that it was time to start. So shouldering their packs the girls moved on.

"I'll be driving behind you," said Crazy Jane. "I'll be pace-maker. If you lag I'll remonstrate by riding over you! How will you like that?"

Miss Elting and Harriet set a good stride. The other girls straggled after them, Margery being last of all. Behind them all Jane drove the car slowly, the engine making no noise.

"We must walk faster, girls!" cried Miss Elting, looking back. "You, especially, Margery. Faster!"

"I couldn't move any faster," protested Margery wearily "even if I were paid for it."

Honk! Honk! Honk! sounded an automobile horn behind her. There was a whirr of fast-moving wheels.

HONK!

Turning, Margery saw the car bearing down upon her at full speed.

"O-o-o-h!" screamed Margery. Picking up her skirts a trifle she fled down the road, while Jane stopped the car just behind her.

"I'm sorry you can't move fast!" Jane called, teasingly.

Twice after that Crazy Jane forced Margery to quicken her lagging steps until at length poor Margery stepped aside, out of the road.

"Not another step for me, Jane McCarthy, unless you keep ahead of the whole party," declared the persecuted Camp Girl.

"Get in and ride," teased Jane.