"Do you mean to say we have to feed--all you boys?" demanded Bess.

"Feed us? No, we can eat with spoons. Just lead us to the eats.

Really, it is serious with Dray. He has already gone dead white. Come in, fellows. We are expecting you. The girls are just getting out the best linen!"

Dray, Walter and Ed entered, and like Jack, showed signs of starvation.

They literally fell into the most convenient spot available as they reached the room.

"Good evening, ladies," panted Dray. "We are delighted to accept your kind invitation to dine with you. Pray pardon the togs. I feel like a regular 'toff,' don't you know, but my studs are for the moment lost.

And what is a frock without the studs!"

"Well, if this isn't the very utmost," said Cora, laughing at the boys' predicament. "Do you mean to say that you are really hungry?"

"Shall we demonstrate?" asked Ed. "Do you allow us? Belle, get out the chronometer and a hunk of something. If you don't soon you will have a case of homicide on your hands."

Finally believing that the boys were hungry, the girls proceeded to empty the ice box on the back porch. They did not find any too much food there, for the sudden departure of their housekeeper that afternoon had left the girls themselves almost stranded. But, being girls, they managed the living end a little better than the boys did.

The boys, it seemed, had laid in a stock of canned stuff, in the usual hit-and-miss way, but some other campers found the "cave" where the food had been hidden. It was out of the question either to take or get ice, so the next best thing considered was the digging of a big hole in a very damp place. Into this the boys had sunk a nice, clean, galvanized tub, and in it the victuals had been placed. On top was a cover, made of boards and oil cloth, and over this was placed the limb from a tree, this last to detract attention.

"Now, wouldn't you think," said Jack, as he fortified himself with a sandwich, "that any decent chap would know that we belonged to the union? We are going to form a housewives' league at dawn to-morrow, and then we will find the culprits. They will be offering us our own grub at exorbitant rates."

"Bright little Jackie," commented Bess, who was devouring cheese and macaroons. "When you find the culprits you will have a perfectly good movie act in your camp. It will be ent.i.tled 'The Fate of the Kid Grubber.'"

While the boys were thus engaged in the delightful task of keeping off starvation, the girls were anxious to hear what was the proposition Cora had offered to lay before them.

"That's just the way," grumbled Belle; "we never can get at the interesting things!"

"I am going to tell the boys this minute," threatened Marita. "We notice, Belle, that you brought out that lemon pie that was hidden.

Looks as if you found the boys rather interesting."

"Now you know exactly what I mean," insisted Belle. "Cora said we had to have a chaperone and we all agreed. Instead, we have a crowd of noisy boys."

"When you boys have finished," Cora remarked, "we would like to clear up the debris. Also, we have a sad announcement to make. We have lost our housekeeper!"

"Good!" almost shouted Ed. "I apply at once. I can give every qualification, even to a civil service examination. Cora, I never tasted such food before----"

"Mutiny!" yelled Jack, making a spring at Ed, which ended in such a mixup that the girls fled to the kitchen.

"We really cannot stay alone here to-night," Cora said.

But the boys had come to their feet again, and evidently to terms.

Jack was hugging Walter and Dray was smoothing Ed's black hair.

"Will the boys go and leave us?" asked the timid Marita.

"Of course they will, and that right now," declared Cora. "We have no time to spare to get someone else to stay with us, however. Bess, do you want to come with me? I am going out for our new companion."

CHAPTER VIII

FRIGHTS OR FANCIES

"Oh, do hurry," pleaded Cora. "I had no idea it was so late. And it is awfully dark."

"A nice way to scare me when you have got me out," objected Bess.

"Cora Kimball, I have a great mind to run back. I never saw lights look so attractive as they do just now in the Mote."

"Run back if you like," returned Cora, "but I will run on. It was unfortunate that the boys came in just as they did. I really have a good reason for not wanting to stay alone to-night."

"You have?" asked Bess. "I knew you and Lottie had had some adventure."

"Oh, don't be silly, Bess," and Cora laughed lightly. "Everything is perfectly safe and sane at the bay, but what I want is to get over to the little cottage where Freda and her mother are living before they retire. It is Mrs. Lewis I hope to get as our housekeeper."

"Mrs. Lewis!" exclaimed Bess in surprise.

"Yes, but we won't call her housekeeper. I haven't thought it all out yet; in fact, I am not sure they will come, but I hope so."

"Oh, so do I; that would be fine," and Bess almost forgot how black the night was. "I met Mrs. Lewis the day we came, and I could not help thinking what a fine, wholesome mother Freda had."

"Yes, I have been talking to her and I think she is just that--fine and wholesome. And goodness knows," added Cora fervently, "we need some weight at the Mote. But they may not consent. I happened to overhear a remark this afternoon that set me to thinking. I am afraid poor Freda and her mother are in for further trouble."

They hurried along, making their way with difficulty in the deep sand that covered road and path alike. Once or twice they paused, startled at the sound of men's voices, then hurried the more to make up for lost time.

"Why didn't we have one of the boys come with us?" asked Bess.

"Because I am not ready yet to have the boys know all our plans, and to trust one of them--Bess Robinson, you know our boys. What one knows the rest can guess."

"That's so," mused Bess. "Is that the cottage?"

"Yes, right over there," and Cora indicated a light through the trees.

"I am glad they are still up!"

It was only a few steps further, and this s.p.a.ce was rapidly covered.

As the two girls reached the porch, and before they had a chance to touch the knocker, the door was opened by Freda.

"Who is it?" she asked in a frightened voice.

"Only Cora and Bess," Cora replied, noting the fear in Freda's tone.

"Are we too late to come in?"

"No, indeed," Freda replied, rea.s.sured. "I was afraid it might be unwelcome visitors, but you are heartily welcome."

The living room of the cottage was typical of the seash.o.r.e--a long apartment, with field-stone fireplace and fumed fir trim. The stairway led up from the room and gave it an air of even greater s.p.a.ciousness.

Altogether it was most attractive. Mrs. Lewis, a slim, fine-featured woman, rose from her rocker as the girls entered.

"It is late to call," began Cora, "but our business is really urgent.