Here were unmistakable evidences of feminine
art: looking-glasses hanging to trees, snowy wash-cloths, each
bearing its owner's initials, adorning the shrubs, while numerous
towels waved in the breeze. Between two trees a thin board was
nailed, which appeared to be used, as nearly as the woodpeckers could
make out, as a toothbrush rack. In this, Philip, the skilful
carpenter, had bored the necessary number of holes, and each one
contained a toothbrush tied with a gorgeous ribbon.
In this secluded spot Bell was wont to marshal every morning the
entire force of 'the toothbrush brigade'; and, conducting the drill
with much ingenuity, she would take her victims through a long series
of military manoeuvres arranged for the toothbrush. Oh, the
gaspings, the chokings and stranglings, which occurred when she
mounted a rock by the edge of the pool, and after calling in tones of
thunder,
'Brush, brothers, brush with care!
Brush in the presence of the commandaire!'
ordered her unwilling privates to polish their innocent molars to the
tune of 'Hail, Columbia,' or 'Auld Lang Syne'! And if they became
mutinous, it was Geoffrey who reduced them to submission, and ordered
them to brush for three mornings to the tune of 'Bluebells of
Scotland' as a sign of loyalty to their commander.
As for the furnishing of the camp, there were impromptu stools and
tables made of packing-boxes and trunks, all covered with bright
Turkey-red cotton; there were no less than three rustic lounges and
two arm-chairs made from manzanita branches, and a Queen Anne
bedstead was being slowly constructed, day by day, by the ambitious
boys for their beloved Elsie.
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