was what?" said Migwan.
Just then the sound rang out again. "That!" said Gladys.
"Why, that's nothing but a loon," answered Migwan. "Isn't it
lovely!" And she fell asleep again.
But slumber would not come to Gladys. The bed sagged in the
middle and she could not get herself adjusted to it. She was
finally in the act of dozing off when the bed collapsed with a
jarring crash. Instantly the whole camp was awake. Migwan
jumped up and lit the lantern, and Nyoda came running over from
Alpha to see what was the matter. There was much laughter over
the mishap, but unfortunately Gladys got the idea that Sahwah,
who had giggled uncontrollably from the start, was responsible
for the bed going down. "You made it fall down," she said to
her, and burst into tears. Sahwah stared at her open mouthed.
"I never touched it," she declared.
Nyoda hastened to smooth things over. "Nobody made your bed
collapse, dear," she said, putting her arm around Gladys, "it's a
trick camp beds have." Gladys went on crying, however, so Nyoda
sat down on the edge of her bed and talked soothingly to her.
She realized that Gladys felt strange in camp and was probably
homesick in spite of the fact that the girls had received her
with open arms. So to divert the girl's attention from herself
she pointed out the constellations blazing in the sky and told
some of their stories, and Gladys gradually relaxed and fell
asleep.
When she opened her eyes again it was broad daylight and the sun
was shining into the tent. She looked around at the others.
Hinpoha was still asleep; Migwan was coaxing a chipmunk up on the
bed with peanuts; Sahwah was noiselessly getting into her bathing
suit. Seeing that Gladys was awake, both girls waved their arms
in friendly greeting. Talking was not allowed before the first
bugle. There was a soft scurry of little feet on the floor, and
another chipmunk darted in and paused inquiringly beside Gladys's
bed. Migwan tossed her some peanuts and Gladys held one out
gingerly to the little creature. He hopped up boldly and took it
from her fingers, stuffing it into his baggy cheek. Then his
bright little eyes spied the rest of the peanuts on Gladys's bed,
and quick as a wink he was up after them, his tail whisking right
into her face. Gladys screamed and wriggled, and he fled for his
life, pausing a short distance from the tent to scold about the
peanuts he had left behind in his flight.
Just then the bugl
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