Thus one can easily see that Deepdale is a very desirable place in which
to live.

At least that is what the four Outdoor Girls thought. And since they had
spent most of their lives there, they certainly ought to know!

On the morning of this day, some ten days or so after their strange
encounter with Professor Dempsey, the girls were gathered on Betty's
porch, talking over their plans for the summer.

"I am only waiting to hear from Uncle John," Mollie was saying, as she
swung lazily back and forth in the couch swing. "The last time I saw him
he said that he was almost sure to go north this summer and he told me
that as soon as he made definite plans he would let me know."

"You told us that two weeks ago," Grace reminded her. "And we haven't
heard from him yet."

"It does seem to take him a long time to make up his mind," sighed Amy.

Betty, who had been trying to read a novel, closed the book and turned to
them with a laugh.

"Goodness, you all sound doleful," she told them. "It seems to me that we
ought to be able to live through it, even if we don't get Wild Rose Lodge
for the summer. There are plenty of other things we can do."

Mollie turned upon her indignantly.

"How you talk, Betty Nelson," she scolded her. "As if we could possibly