CHAPTER X

AROUND THE COUNCIL FIRE


Tommy's sprightly remarks failed to draw forth the customary laughter that
usually greeted them at breakfast that morning. The faces of most of the
girls wore serious expressions. Mrs. Livingston and the guardians were
grave, speaking in low tones when they spoke at all, as if to impress upon
all the Camp Girls the gravity of the previous night's occurrences. The
suspicion of a laugh was raised, however, by Tommy's remark toward the
close of the meal.

"I with thomebody would laugh," she complained with a queer little
grimace.

"You may laugh if you wish," answered the Chief Guardian pleasantly. But
somehow Tommy couldn't quite bring herself to do so.

Breakfast being finished the daily routine of the camp went on with its
accustomed regularity. Not a word had been spoken about the hazing of the
two new girls. The guardians were following some carefully laid plan, but
Harriet wondered that no inquiry was made. She had fully looked for a
searching investigation to take place immediately after breakfast. None
came.

The first work that the new girls were called upon to do was to gather