The Captain heard the crying and hurried over to inquire into the cause of it. Ruth was weeping by this time, so sorry did she feel for herself, and her ill-treatment.
"What ever has happened, Ruth, in this perfectly safe spot?"
"O-ooh! I must have stubbed my toe! Oooo-h, I'm afraid it's broken!" wailed the girl.
Mrs. Vernon saw the ax with its head deep in the ground but she did not dream how Ruth had "stubbed" her toe. She sat down and wiggled the injured member tenderly, then said:
"Oh, no, it's not broken, only hurt by the collision. It will be all right in a little while," the Captain replied cheerfully.
But Ruth did not want cheerfulness--she wanted to be told she had to remain as quiet as possible and have others wait on her.
"Pick up the ax and I'll help you walk over--you can lean upon my arm if you think your toe will feel easier," suggested Mrs. Vernon.
"I don't believe I can walk," breathed Ruth, fearfully.
"Oh, yes, you can. The foot is all right, it is only the toe that feels lame for a short time--just as it would have done at home if you ran into a piece of furniture."
Reaching camp again, Ruth was about to drop the ax on the grass, when the Captain said: "The tool-chest is over on the buckboard, Ruth."
The girl clinched her teeth in anger, but the ax was taken to its right place and left in the box whence she had taken it.
One after another of the girls looked up and felt surprised to find Ruth sitting on a box holding her foot. Then Julie called out:
"Good gracious! Ruth done chopping that tree so soon?"
"No, she and the ax had an argument," laughed Mrs. Vernon.
Ruth glanced at the Captain out of the corners of her eyes, and wondered: "Did she see me kick that old thing?"
"Oh! Well, then, come over and get busy here again," said Joan, beckoning to Ruth.
"That won't make your toe hurt, Ruth. You can remain in one spot and weed," added Mrs. Vernon.
Not having any other excuse at the moment, Ruth limped to the hut and slowly began the old work, but she rebelled inwardly.
After an hour's hard work the clearing was done, and the girls threw themselves down to rest. The Captain was ready for this recess.
"I made a jugful of lemonade, girls, and it is as cold as if we had ice water in it. Just taste!"