DEPARTURE OF THE FIRST GROUP OF CAMPERS
Edwy’s special friend had noticed how bravely he had given up the idea
of taking any of the country pets to the city, at least until he grew
older, but there was one little plan which she had not as yet divulged
to anybody. She had remarked to herself that a kitten had not been
forbidden, simply because it had not been thought of as a possibility.
After the boys and their parents had said good-bye to their camp, and
the whistle of their train could be heard far over the hills, she began
to take a new course with Zephyr. The little lonesome creature would
go often down to the bank, and seem to watch for the coming of a boat
and a welcoming warwhoop, but would always come back disappointed. It
was at such times that Aida and her mother would have a loving word
for Zephyr, and it evidently was at a loss to know what such unusual
attention meant. For instance, Zephyr might have wondered why she was
so often invited to go to sleep in a large cushioned box, with a wire
cover, not often closed, over her; and why she was fed occasional
dainties in this place, until she had grown to love it, and feel
perfectly at home in it.
Up to this time, they had not been quite sure but that some one might
claim Zephyr, but they had found out by accident, that a family had
moved away from a near-by hamlet, and had left this helpless creature
to the mercy of fierce dogs and winter terrors; but a kind Providence
that doth not let even the sparrows fall had brought her to a good
home, and now, that it had been decided what could be done for her by
the remaining friends at the camp, there was no lack of affection
shown. So Zephyr grew soft and fluffy and more engaging than ever, had
no fear of her wire-covered box, in which she was being prepared for a
longer journey, and eventually for summers and winters to come. In this
way she might be brought back and forth to the camp every summer.
Some weeks had passed before the second army of campers were ready to
leave. The autumn days had turned the leaves of the forest from gold to
crimson, the Hermit thrush had ceased its song of the even-tide, and
when they were all ready to leave the camp, Zephyr did not seem at all
surprised to be taken along with them. She was taken to Aida’s home at
first, for her (Aida’s) tall husband had at last come home, braving the
dangers of the war-ravaged seas.