r the long hike. The day was a
perfect midsummer day and each and every one of them would gladly
remain with Kara.

Tory had declined. In face of the argument that it was her duty to
give the other Girl Scouts the opportunity to be useful to Kara, who
was their friend as well as her own, Tory insisted that to-day she was
too tired for a long tramp. In any case she would stay on at camp.
Some other day she would be glad to change places.

At present Edith Linder had gone the half mile or more away to the
little House in the Woods on an errand. She had promised to help
prepare supper before the camping party could return. Finding herself
in need of supplies she had explained to Tory and slipped away. Kara
would not be apt to awaken soon and there appeared no immediate need
for her.

In truth Tory was glad to be alone for an hour.

In a short time the sun would set.

Weary Tory believed she wanted an hour for quiet thinking.

Earlier in the day Teresa had confessed that she was feeling a degree
of disappointment in the summer camp.

Tory Drew was disappointed, but for different reasons.

The past winter had been the most difficult she could remember. After
a wandering existence abroad with her artist father, it had not been
simple to find her place and to make friends in Westhaven. Yet she had
accomplished both. Her aunt, Miss Victoria Fenton, did not regard her
with great affection, nevertheless at least she had agreed that the
younger Victoria had become slightly less trying. And she and her
uncle, Mr. Richard Fenton, at first not liking each other, had become
devoted comrades.

Save for his interest and aid the summer camp, now surrounding her
like a quiet guard, would never have been a possibility.

Growing a little restless, Tory changed her position.

Would it not have been better had she gone on the errand to Miss Frean
and asked Edith to watch beside Kara. Of late Kara frequently showed
that she was weary of so much of her society.

Moreover, without confessing the fact, Tory appreciated that she was
suffering from the strain. She was tired and nervous oftener than she
was accustomed to feeling.

A quiet talk with Memory Frean and a walk to the House in the Woods
would have done her good.

Her uncle had said that he hoped this summer would give them an
opportunity for a closer intimacy. He believed that her influence
would be of benefit to Tory. If their friendship of long ago had
ended, he had n