“We shall approach the town from the rear,” observed Miss Phillips; “so we will not get the best view.”
“And how are we to know it?” asked Frances.
“We shall see the big lake joining the creek, and then in a minute or two, we’ll see it. As I have said before, the whole place isn’t very big.”
When the canoes actually came to the lake and approached, as Ruth said, “the isle of their dreams,” they were surprised at how little of the town they could actually see. For, on the shore towards the creek the trees were large and close together; only the roof of the church or a particularly high house was now and again visible above the trees.
Two luxurious machines stood on the bank, and the girls looked instantly to identify the drivers. Lily was the only one to recognize one of them. For both were chauffeurs.
“That’s our chauffeur!” she cried, in consternation. “Yes, and one of those cars is ours, too!”
“Well, of all things, Lil!” exclaimed Ruth. “How do you suppose----?”
But Lily was already out of the canoe, and was running toward the chauffeur.
“Henry, where did you come from? Are mamma and papa here? Have two Girl Scouts arrived here before us? Where----?”
Henry touched his cap, and smiled at this breathless storm of questions.
“Yes, Miss Lily,” he finally replied; “Mr. and Mrs. Andrews are here, and you will see them in a few minutes. And there are some young people who arrived yesterday----”
Lily gasped in astonishment, and the others pressed close about her and the chauffeur.
--“But they were not _girls_; they were----”
“Sh!” cautioned Miss Phillips. “Not a word about that, please. It’s a surprise.”
When Lily finally learned that Marjorie and Frieda had not arrived, her eyes filled with tears; she stood still, as if she wanted to get into the canoe again and go back. But Miss Phillips told the girls to get into the machines.
“But who will take care of our canoes?” asked Ethel, who had no desire to lose them a second time.
“One of the men will be right along, Miss,” explained Henry. “You needn’t worry.”
The machines drove for a short distance along a dirt lane which seemed to go right through the heart of the woods. When they finally emerged, the girls beheld a smooth white road lined with beautiful bungalows and houses, all in the most perfect condition. Green lawns, dotted here and there with flowers, and enclosed by hedges, surrounded the lovely dwellings.