At six o'clock the members of the family came into camp from various
directions, and gathered about the supper-table. All were surprised
at Laura's sudden departure, but no one seemed especially grief-
stricken. Dicky announced confidentially to Philip that Laura was a
'norful 'fraid-cat of frogs,' and Jack ventured the opinion that Miss
Laura hadn't 'boy' enough in her for camp-life.
'But where is Polly?' asked Bell, looking round the table, as she
pinned up her riding-skirt and sat down in her usual seat.
'She has a bad headache, and is lying down,' said Mrs. Winship,
quietly; 'she'll be all right in the morning.'
'Headache!' ejaculated four or five people at once, dropping their
napkins and looking at each other in dismay.
'I'll go and rub her head with Cologne,' said Margery.
'Let me go and sit with her,' said Elsie.
'Have you been teasing her, Jack?' asked Mrs. Howard.
'Too much birthday?' asked Dr. Paul. 'Tell her we can spare almost
anybody else better.'
'Bless the child, she wants me if she is sick. Go on with your
suppers, I'll see to her,' and Bell rose from the table.
'No, my dear, I want you all to leave her alone at present,' said
Mrs. Winship, decidedly. 'I've put her to bed in Dicky's play-tent,
and I want her to be quiet. Gin has taken her some supper, and she
needs rest.'
Polly Oliver in need of rest! What an incomprehensible statement!
Nobody was satisfied, but there was nothing more to be said, though
Bell and Philip exchanged glances as much as to say, 'Something is
wrong.
Pages:
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177