Natalie: A Garden Scout. Roy Lillian Elizabeth

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СКАЧАТЬ standard all year through in her classes showed that she would not fail now in her yearly examinations.

      “Oh, but this is good news, dear!” exclaimed Mrs. James joyously.

      “Yes, isn’t it? If it wasn’t for Miss Mason taking the time and interest in me that she does, the Principal would never have listened to my request. It seems rather wonderful to have a teacher who is a real friend, too!”

      “We’re grateful, no matter through what channel the good came; but I, too, think Miss Mason a good friend to have,” remarked Mrs. James.

      “She said something to me, as I left this noon, about your telling me of her Scout camp. She laughed and said I would be surprised and – perhaps – annoyed. If it was the latter feeling, I was to consider she owed me a debt that she would try to pay as soon as possible. It sounded so amusing, coming from her to me, who owes her all obligations for what she has done for me, that I am keen to hear what you have to explain.”

      Mrs. James smiled. “I am sure you will be pleased, Natalie. Miss Mason rented a section of the woodland that runs along the river bank at Green Hill for a camp for her Girl Scout Patrol she told us of. They all expect to go there on the first of July.”

      “Oh, goody! Isn’t that just scrumptious!” cried Natalie delightedly.

      “I thought you would like it, but Miss Mason was not so sure that you would welcome her Scouts. The girls are all good girls, but they have not had the money or social advantages that you and your friends have. I told Miss Mason that the sooner all such fol-de-rol was dispelled in a girl’s mind the better. And these eight sensible young girls will help dispel the nonsense.”

      “That’s right, Jimmy! Since I find myself thrown on the mercy of the world, I begin to see how unfounded is one’s faith in money or position. One day it is yours and the next it is gone!”

      “Rather precocious views for so young a maid, Natalie,” said Mrs. James, smiling indulgently at her protégée.

      Natalie sighed. “Is it not true?”

      “True, of course, but you have not proven it to be so yet. You speak from hearsay and from book knowledge. You have not had to make the sorry experience your own yet.”

      “Why, Jimmy! Don’t you call my losses the test?” said Natalie, offended that Mrs. James should consider her limited condition anything less than a calamity.

      The lady laughed. “Child, you have a lovely home and land free and clear of debt. It is worth at least ten thousand dollars right now. With judicious handling it will be worth four times that sum in a few years. You have Rachel and me to live with you and love and cherish you – as well as protect you. You have Mr. Marvin to take all charge of your business interests, and last, but not least – you have four loyal young friends who stick to you whether you have money or not. This is far from being thrown on the cold mercy of the world!”

      Natalie thought deeply over this but she said nothing.

      “Well, let’s get busy packing, Jimmy! I want to get away this week, if we can.”

      “Are you not going back for the afternoon session of school?” asked Mrs. James, surprised.

      “Didn’t I tell you I was free now? I do not have to return except for exams. The classes are only reviewing the last term’s work now, so I do not have to report for that.”

      “Oh, how nice! Then we will get to work at once.”

      By afternoon of Wednesday, all baggage was out of the apartment, and the three occupants were prepared to leave early in the morning. Mr. Marvin had been notified and he said the key for Green Hill house was at the general store. Mrs. Tompkins would give it to them. Mr. Tompkins had followed his wife’s advice and stocked up the kitchen and pantry with whatever groceries Rachel would need to begin with.

      “Isn’t that thoughtful of the Tompkins, Natalie?” said Mrs. James gratefully.

      “Yes, I feel that we will be good friends – the Tompkins and us.”

      Natalie had informed her schoolmates that she was to go on the nine o’clock local in the morning, and so wished them all good-by that night.

      “It isn’t really ‘good-by,’ Nat, because we will all see you again so soon,” giggled Norma.

      Belle sent Norma a warning glance and explained hastily: “Yes, it is only a few weeks before we will be up on the farm with you.”

      “Try to fix it, girls, so you can all join me on the farm as soon as school closes,” said Natalie.

      “That will be fine!” declared a chorus of voices.

      So repeated good-bys were said and Natalie wondered why the girls thought it all so funny! The next morning as Mrs. James and Natalie stood in line at Grand Central Station to buy their tickets, four laughing girls pounced upon Natalie, and as many girlish voices said: “Didn’t you suspect? How could you believe we would let you go away without sending you off in a royal manner?”

      Natalie laughed joyously. “But it isn’t to the North Pole, girls! And it is only a few weeks before you will be there.”

      “Never mind! If it is only for a few days, we would see that the railroad company was duly impressed with your importance because of your friends who escort you to the train,” laughed Janet.

      Mrs. James had purchased the tickets by this time, and they all started to find Rachel, who was waiting with the baggage. Then they hunted up the particular gate that gave way to the platform of the train they wanted, and passed through in a grand procession.

      Rachel was last to pass, and as she tried to force the unwieldy bags through without allowing for the narrow brass rails, she got them stuck. A porter sprang forward to assist her, but she scorned him.

      “Whad foh yoh try t’ show off now? Ef yoh had any sence in yoh haid, yoh’d seen I cud have used help befoh dis! Clar out, now, and don’ show yoh kinky monkey-face heah ag’in!”

      As she puffed out the angry words, Rachel struggled with the baggage, and finally shot through with the release of the knobby portmanteau that held her precious property. The gate-keeper laughed quietly at the discomfiture of the porter who was inordinately proud of his new uniform and brass-corded cap. To be termed a “monkey-face” by an old mammy was past endurance!

      The incident caused a merry laugh with the group of girls, and Natalie said: “There, Rachel! I told you to let us carry one or two of your bags, – you were too laden for anything!”

      “Da’s all right, Honey! I ain’t lettin’ yoh lug yohse’f to pieces fer me; but dat pickaninny what’s dressed up like a hand organ monkey makes his livin’ by fetchin’ an’ carryin’; so he oughta know his bis’nis, er someone’s got to teach him it.”

      As Natalie reached the platform of the train, she stood still to bid her chums good-by again. Suddenly she remembered what had occurred the night before.

      “Oh, is that why you laughed when I said it need not be a long good-by?”

      “Surely! we had it all planned to come and see you off, and give you consolation in some tangible form because you would be deprived of our gracious company for two weeks,” giggled Belle, holding out a ribbon-bowed box.

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