Then the Petrel puffed up to
Camp Cozy.
There all attention was bestowed upon Laurel. The girl had gone
from shock to shock until she was really in need of rest and
nourishment. Of course Cora made light of her own predicament. She
admitted she had been frightened when she found the boat gone, and
Laurel sick, but tried to laugh and call it just one more
experience, that would add to her general knowledge. But her face
was white, and even Belle and Bess who had risen from prostration to
over-joy could not be deceived.
"It's about that man Peters," Bess whispered to Belle. "You know
she had some interest in him because she felt he knew about the
hermit and the girl. But the girl is here now," she finished,
unable further to explain Cora's agitation.
It was Jack who made the opportunity for Cora to talk privately with
him, and the sister was not averse to seizing it.
Jack called her to the side porch directly after she had had some
refreshments.
"What's worrying you, sis?" he asked kindly, putting his arm around
her.
"Oh, Jack, I don't know. If you hadn't come!" and she shivered as
she thought of that dire possibility.
"Oh, but we did come. We found you much sooner than we thought we
would, and I must say you weren't half so frightened as you had a
right to be under the circumstances. You are one of the bravest
girls I ever saw--that's right and so is that Wild Laurel.
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