s.

At first she felt indignant, then her helplessness prompted caution,
and she hurried into bed.

The door opened softly.

"What is it, dear?" asked Mrs. Hobbs, who, as Dorothy could see, was
enveloped in a robe of the same pattern as that which she herself
wore. "Did you call?"

"Oh, thank you. I only wanted a little air," replied Dorothy.
"Couldn't we open a window?"

"Well, perhaps we had best not, dearie," replied the woman. "There
might be a draught."

"I wish there was," Dorothy could not help replying. Then she quickly
added: "Don't you think fresh air is very good at this warm season?"

"Oh, yes, for some folks," said Mrs. Hobbs, tucking the warm bed
clothes more warmly about the sweltering girl. "But, you see--well,
this room--we don't always open the windows--fer company."

"I will be able to go back to my friends in the morning," said Dorothy
promptly. "I am sure it has been very kind of you to take care of me
as you have done."

"Now, don't talk too much dearie," ordered the woman. "You see, head
troubles--that is, when a girl falls on her head--she has got to be
dreadful careful, fer a long time."

"Oh, my head is not hurt," declared Dorothy, as she leaned upon her
elbow. "I feel able to walk back to camp now."

"Camp?" asked the woman.

"Why, yes. Didn't you know I came from a camp out Everglade way? I was
with one of the other girls from camp when I--got lost," finished
Dorothy quite helplessly.

"Some folks don't call them places 'camps,'" Mrs. Hobbs ventured. "But
of course the name ain't got anything to do with it."

"What do they call them?" pressed Dorothy.

"Oh, now, you never mind. You will be all right. Jest go off to sleep,
and as soon as Josh milks, I'll fetch you a nice drink of the warm
suds--it's splendid fer nerves."

Dorothy was completely mystified. Perhaps the old woman was queer, and
she might better humor her.

"Well, I may sleep a little more," she said, "and then when daylight
comes, I shall be ready to start off. Would you mind handing me my
jacket. It has my purse in it, and I want to make sure that it is all
right."

Samanthy Hobbs hobbled over to where Dorothy's clothes lay in a heap.
She fumbled through the garments, and Dorothy distinctly saw her take
the beaded purse in her hand.

"That's it," said Dorothy.

"No pocketbook here," replied the woman.

"Why, that little beaded bag I saw you take from my pocket; that is my
purse!"

"Ain't no sign o