motioned the girls to follow her toward the kitchen
compartment, then gave a shrug of disgust as she noticed a sign on the
door, "Private."

"Why, the idea," pouted Bet Baxter. "Right on our own car, too! I
don't think we ought to stand for it." Then a spirit of mischief
overcame Bet. She tiptoed toward the door and shoved it open, bouncing
into the room without even looking. The girls watched to see what
would happen.

Plenty happened, for at that moment Sam Wilkins, the huge colored cook,
was bringing in a large tray of ice water. There was a loud crash.
Two glasses fell to the floor, and the man himself almost lost his
balance.

Sam's usual smile faded. "Ain't you seen that sign, nohow?" he
demanded pointing a long, black finger at the word "Private."

"Why how stupid of me!" Bet tried to look innocent. "Was that there
_all_ the time? Imagine me not seeing it!" There was remorse in her
voice but a merry twinkle in her eyes that did not escape Sam.

"Maybe you can't read yet," he said, frowning.

Bet bestowed on him one of her compelling smiles. "I'm very sorry,"
she said with her sweetest accent. "I'll promise never to come in here
again--that is unless you want me to see your darling kitchen. I know
I'd just love it."

Sam's white teeth showed in a broad smile. After that, he was willing
to do anything for Bet Baxter. He ushered her into his kitchen as if
she were a queen.

When Bet came back triumphantly to the drawing room a few minutes
later, Enid greeted her with a shake of her head:

"You certainly have a way with you, Bet Baxter. No one can resist you,
no one!"

"What about Edith Whalen?" Bet reminded her.

"Oh, that girl!" said Enid contemptuously.

"Every rule has to have one exception. She doesn't count at all."

"Speaking of Edith, I wonder where she is this summer?" asked Kit.

"Why spoil a perfectly good day by speaking of Edith at all. She's
just nothing in my young life. She belongs to the dim and distant
past. A summer of real happiness is before us!" exclaimed Bet.

"Huh! That's just what you said last year when we went to Campers'
Trail, and see what happened! Edith was there and managed to make our
lives miserable for a month and more," Joy reminded her with shrug of
her dainty shoulders.

"Well, there is one thing sure, girls," laughed Kit Patten. "She will
not be in Lost Canyon. So you are safe in planning on a happy summer."

"Now if we can only per