"Well, I guess that's enough," said Allen, clapping the top on the big tin box, and getting to his feet. "Now if the fish don't like the bait any better than you girls, I shouldn't wonder if we got done out of our supper."
"My aunt says they are wonderfully agreeable," said Mollie as they started down the path, "especially in that pool. She says they just fall over one another in their hurry to get caught."
"And you waited all this time to tell us about it," said Allen reproachfully. "And even then I had to suggest it."
"Yes, if it were just an ordinary pool you could understand it," Frank added. "But a marvel like this! Gee, those fish must be hungry!"
The Outdoor Girls and their companions tramped for what seemed to them a very long time, but at last they were rewarded by a vision of a beautiful glade--all trees and rocks and crystal-clear water.
"Well, this looks like something," said Will, drawing a deep breath. "I wouldn't mind camping here for the rest of the season."
Betty laughed. "You would either have to saw down about a hundred trees," she said, "or camp in the pool with the little fishes."
"Well, it might not be so bad at that," said Will, cheerfully, while he helped Amy over the uneven places. "I could have fish dinners if I wanted them anyway."
"Well, there is nothing like looking on the bright side of things," laughed Allen. "Look, Betty, here is a place that was just made for you. Seat and back and everything complete. Isn't it a dandy?"
"Do I dangle my feet over it?" asked Betty doubtfully, surveying the water beneath. "Suppose one of my slippers dropped off?"
"I suppose I'd go down and get it," he said, brushing the difficulty aside with a wave of his hand.
"But it would be ruined," wailed Betty. "They don't feel very tight, you know."
Allen ran his hand through his hair in evident perplexity. Then his brow cleared before the light of a sudden inspiration.
"Can't you take them off?" he asked eagerly.
"Allen!" she cried. "What an idea! Of course I can't."
"Well, what are you going to do then?" he demanded despairingly. "I've suggested everything I could think of and you certainly can't stand up all afternoon."
"What are you two talking about?" Grace demanded. "Don't you know you are blocking the way?"