MRS. HOLLISTER’S VISIT TO CAMP
When the morning dawned on the day Mrs. Hollister was expected, great
were the preparations made for that lady.
“Listen to me, girls; she’s the cleverest woman you ever met,” said
Cousin Kate. “She has not been exactly in favor of our organization, so
I wish each of you girls to do your best, and Mrs. Hollister can teach
you so many useful things.”
“Yes, indeed,” said Ethel. “Cousin Kate is right. There’s very little
that Mother can not do.”
Old Mr. Adams came up with a load of delicacies which had been ordered
by the thoughtful Uncle John.
He paid no attention to the girls but as on previous occasions he gave
his entire attention to his horses. He wiped off their foaming sweat
with his hands. Last year it had been his handkerchief varied with
bundles of grass and leaves. After cleaning them to his satisfaction he
calmly walked to the clear brook and washed his hands thoroughly.
“Isn’t that awful?” whispered Patty to Miss Kate. “I shall never feel
like drinking water from that brook again.”
“Why my dear,” laughed Kate, “that water changes every minute. It’s gone
now and in its place there’s fresh—don’t worry.”
“Here they are!” called Nora, and there came to view Uncle John and a
lady whom from Ethel’s resemblance to her they at once knew and fell
deeply in love with, especially Mattie.
And everything pleased Mrs. Hollister,—the girls, their costumes, their
tents, and the delicious dinner cooked over an open fire interested her
greatly. She even held one of the forked branches on which reposed the
chicken and broiled it as well as a chef, but she thought the green corn
was the most delicious thing that she’d ever tasted. After dinner she
said:
“Now girls, see if I have it correct: ‘After tying a string to the end
of each ear, soak the corn in water for an hour. Then lay it on the hot
coals, turning frequently. Draw it out by the string and eat with salt
and melted butter.’ Well, it’s simply great. I wish I were young again.
I think I’d like to be a Camp Fire Girl.” She was as enthusiastic as a
child. Ethel looked at Kate and they smiled over the change that had
taken place since the day Kate wished to explain to her aunt what the
Camp Fire Girl was.
“Don’t you think that Mother grows young?” asked Ethel proudly of her
cousin.
“She’s a changed woman,” replied Kate, “in every way. She’s simply
lovely.”
Mrs. Hollister adapted herself and made friends quickly. She became
tactful, a quality that had hitherto been unknown. She liked Nora and
the girl loved Mrs. Hollister. Ethel marveled. That her mother who
disliked anything savoring of loudness could tolerate Nora seemed
wonderful.
“The fault must lie with me,” she thought. “Even Mother likes her.”
Mrs. Hollister went right to work and taught the girls how to cut and
fit. She taught them many of the little arts and niceties of
dressmaking, and the girls became proficient and at the next Council
meeting each received several honors. Then she taught them to trim hats
and make the daintiest bows; and after she had taught them how to
crochet and make Irish lace their gratitude was boundless.
She also taught them how to cook—how to make delicious corn bread with
one egg, where they had been in the habit of using two, insisting upon
their first scalding their meal. Then she made them delicious
gingerbread, using cold coffee left from breakfast in place of milk or
cream and many other dishes of which they had never heard.
“Really, Aunt Bella,” said Kate, as the girls were receiving their
honors, “I feel that you deserve some of these beads.”
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