rass at the
scout's feet.

[Illustration: "Would you prefer to sit here and dream, Betzy,
or go back with me and eat sandwiches" ... Page 16]

"Well, well! it must be the Friday Jinx that still pursues us," remarked
Jim, gazing regretfully at the glistening oil that formed beads on the
blades of grass.

The girls laughed merrily, but Mrs. Vernon seemed serious. She was about
to speak, when Amy asked Joan to pass the crackers. She picked up the
box that was nearest her, and turned to hand them to her next neighbor,
when her foot slipped on the oily grass and she sat down suddenly upon
the stump. The box fell in Hester's lap, but Joan clapped a hand over
her mouth and smothered a howl.

"Goodness me! What's the matter now, Jo!" cried Ruth, seeing the girl's
convulsed face.

Joan shook her head helplessly, but her eyes were filled with tears.
Every one wondered what could have happened, and when the scout could
speak she said thickly: "Oh, that oil! I slipped and bit the end of my
tongue clear off--I'm sure of it!"

"Stick it out and let's see," demanded Ruth.

"That's what comes of having too much of a good thing!" declared Julie,
teasingly.

Every one but the Captain laughed, and she said seriously: "Do you know,
girls, that I've had an idea about all this talk over Friday being a
'bad luck' day. Of course it is perfectly absurd to intelligent people,
but there are enough superstitious folk left in the world who actually
think Friday has some power to bring ill luck with it.

"Now I believe that it is the _fear_ and general belief in the
superstition that carries any weight with it. If we, as good intelligent
scouts, will try to break this silly fear for others, we shall have to
begin with ourselves, by not referring to the superstition with the
sense of its having _any_ power to act."

The girls listened seriously, as they always did when their Captain
started one of her "sermonettes" as Julie called them; and when she had
concluded, Joan said: "In other words, you want us to starve the poor
wraith still more by withdrawing any thoughts from the matter whatever?"

"Exactly! You've worded it better than I could have done myself,"
responded the Captain, emphatically.

When supper was over and everything about camp had been prepared for the
night, Joan suggested taking a stroll down the picturesque country road.

The gloaming was so inviting that the scouts decided to saunter down the
woodsy road.