Page:Boy scouts in the White Mountains; the story of a long hike (IA boyscoutsinwhite00eato).pdf/98

 "You'll get your death of cold!"

"Nonsense, my dear," said Papa.

"Nonsense or not, she's got to dry them," the mother said. "We must go right back to that store."

"I have a better idea, if you'll excuse me, Mrs. Green," said Rob (he and the oldest of the girls had evidently been exchanging names). "We'll build a fire here by the river, and all have lunch together. While she's drying her stockings, we Scouts will take back the overalls, and bring down all your grub and our packs, and then we can all walk back to North Woodstock together after lunch."

"A very good idea, too," exclaimed Papa Green.

"Well, I'm willing," said the mother. "I don't much want to take that walk back, that's a fact."

"Fire, boys!" cried Peanut, starting to scramble down beside the falls.

"Hold on!" Frank cried. "Nobody stirs from this spot till I get a picture."

"Oh," squealed the girls. "You shan't take our picture in these!"

"Yes, I shall! Peanut, you guard the path!"

"Right-o," said Peanut. "No lady shall pass save over my dead body!"

Frank unslung his camera from the case, and made everybody get in a group, with the girls in front. They all tried to sit down, to hide the over