dare wake Elsie, she has had such an exciting day; but I'll call
Polly to help you pack, and then tell Pancho to find Anne and harness
the team. While he is doing that, I'll get you a little lunch to
take with you and write a note to your mother. Perhaps you can come
again before we break camp, but I'm sorry to send you home in such a
sad plight.'



CHAPTER VIII: POLLY'S BIRTHDAY: SECOND HALF
IN WHICH SHE WISHES SEE HAD NEVER BEEN BORN.



'From Hebrew wit the maxim sprung,
Though feet should slip, ne'er let the tongue.


Polly came at once to the tent, where she found Laura getting her
belongings together.

'Why, Laura, it seems too bad you should go off so suddenly. What
can I do to help you?'

The very spirit of evil entered Laura's heart as she looked at Polly,
so fresh and pretty and radiant, with her dimples dancing in and out,
her hair ruffled with the effort of literary composition, and the
glow of the day's happiness still shining in her eyes. She felt as
if Polly was 'glad inside' that she was poisoned; she felt sure she
was internally jumping for joy at her departure; and, above all, she