Even to die, Belle, one may do it up in style."
"I don't think you should make a joke of death," objected Belle,
pouting.
"Oh, I didn't," declared Ed. "I was only trying to make a joke out
of the idea of you being able to die--any place. You never will,
Belle. You will go on being nice forever, like the brook."
The crowd had now scattered, so that the girls might make their way
along to camp without brushing through the throng. They had left
their boat at the landing, in order to see the girls, who, Jack
declared, were waiting there. They could now go aboard again and
finish the journey.
"Say folks," said Ed in a merry voice, "I propose that we make for
the camp. We are starved, every one of us.
"And Laurel must be actually weak," added Cora, "for all sorts of
adventures interfered with our supper."
Seeing the canoe girl, the others drew up to her. Whispered remarks
were politely passed, but Jack kept winking and making queer signs
toward Walter. Cora joined in the mirth as well as she could but
was still nervous. As Cora's boat was setting out, Ben leaned over
and whispered:
"Don't listen to word from any one, and what's more, if you know
anything about the cause for this fight keep it close-to yourself.
I told your brother the rest," and he covered her small white hand
with his own brown rough palm.
"Thank you, Ben, and yes, I will remember," said Cora, with more
stress in her voice than in her words.
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