Granny Dunstan placed a bony hand gently on her visitor's arm and looked volumes with her bright little eyes. Then and there, age, position, and all earthly claims disappeared, and the scouts were given a wonderful sight in beholding a perfect spiritual communion between two entirely different humans.
On the ride back to camp, Mr. Gilroy said: "Well, I wouldn't have missed that visit for anything."
"If 'imitation is the sincerest flattery' then we are flattering Granny Dunstan, for we are going there again to learn the things she knows," said Mrs. Vernon.
The scouts found that Mark had erected several bird-houses, and as they stood watching him line up his horses again, to lead them back to Freedom, they plied him with questions about Granny Dunstan.
"Mark, does she keep all those pigs for meat in winter?" asked Ruth.
"No, she fatten's 'em en sells 'em fer groceries en' other needs. Her pork fetches more'n enny other round th' country."
"How do you account for that, Mark?" asked Mrs. Vernon.
"Cuz it is such sweet and clean meat. Them pigs fatten up on acorns and nuts. And that makes the finest tastin' flesh, yuh know."
After Mark left camp, the girls still talked of the old lady and her wonderful knowledge of woodcraft. Mr. Gilroy and Mrs. Vernon stood at a short distance, conversing in low tones. Finally they came over and joined the scouts.
Mr. Gilroy said: "I want to thank you scouts for all you have done for me, not only in saving my life, but in entertaining me later."
Julie looked anxiously up at him and said, "You sound just as if you were going to leave."
Mrs. Vernon and he laughed: "To tell the truth, I am."
"There--I knew it! It's that old walnut bed!" cried Ruth.
"Oh, no," laughed Mr. Gilroy. "It is because I must keep important appointments at home. You see, I merely got off at Junction when I heard of the Cave, and here I've been ever since."
"You had as good a time here, as elsewhere, haven't you?" demanded Julie.
"Better than I've had in years, but now I must go on. But I want to make a proposition to which your Captain agrees.
"Next summer, as soon as school closes, I want you girls to visit my place in the Adirondacks. The reward of money you will receive will pay all expenses for fares and outfits, and I will try to be as fine a host as you were hostesses. Will you?"