"You didn't stop to think. You were too excited, and, besides, I was
nearer to the man than were the rest of you girls. He simply dropped
down on all fours and ran off the porch like a dog or a cat."

"Well, I swum!" muttered the guide.

"Mr. Grubb, I don't like this," declared the guardian severely.

"Neither do I, Miss," he replied in a tone that made the girls laugh.

"I am not certain what I ought to do, Mr. Grubb," continued Miss
Elting. "If it means that my girls are to be annoyed and disturbed, we
shall be obliged to look for another guide. You know I have a personal
responsibility in this matter. I shall have to think it over. Unless
you can give me reasonable assurance that these incidents will not be
repeated, then I shall have to make some different arrangements. You
will please send the luggage to the hotel as suggested. I will see you
early in the morning, at any rate. Come, girls."

Janus, somewhat downcast and very thoughtful, led the way to the
Compton House, a short distance down the street from the post-office
and grocery store. The girls began talking almost as soon as they had
left the store porch.

"Please, please don't discharge him," begged Hazel. "He is such a nice
man."

"And thuch nithe whithkerth," added Grace Thompson. "He lookth jutht
like an uncle of mine, who----"