“Certainly.  She is waiting for me with some friends down the road.  Several of us men took a spin this afternoon so that the women could have a little chat together.  It is getting late now, and we must hurry back to the city.  This accident has delayed us.  So, good-bye, madam.  I trust you soon will be well.  I shall see about the carriage at once.”

With that, he left the house, closely followed by Rod, leaving Miss Arabella speechless upon the sofa.

CHAPTER XII

SCOUT WORK

Two weeks after the scout book arrived the Hillcrest troop of boy scouts was formed, with Captain Josh as scoutmaster, and Rod as patrol leader.  Whyn had much to do with this, and her enthusiasm inspired and encouraged the others.  News soon spread among the rest of the boys in the parish of what was taking place, and it was not long before several more asked to become members.  The Scout Commissioner and the Secretary of the Province visited Hillcrest, explained many things, and started the work along proper lines.

Deep in his heart Captain Josh was delighted with the boys.  They no longer feared him, though he was as gruff as ever.  But they soon found that this gruffness was only on the surface, and that in reality he was deeply interested in their welfare.  He studied the scout book thoroughly until he knew it from cover to cover.  He was determined that his troop, even though it was known as the “Lone Patrol,” was to be well trained, and a credit to the parish.  He did not wish to have too many boys at first, but to drill the ones he had chosen until they were proficient in every part of the scout work.

Whenever the captain was in doubt as to what he should do, he always consulted with Whyn, for he found that she had excellent ideas, and remembered so much of what her brother Douglas had told her.  Her joy was even greater than the captain’s when she learned that a troop was to be formed, and she planned all sorts of things for the boys to do.

Just as the work was well under way, Mrs. Sinclair informed the Britts that she and Whyn must leave for the city.  She had her work to do there without which they could not live.  Then it was that the captain showed his hand.  He had been thinking over this very matter for some time, and had discussed it with his wife.

“Let Whyn stay with us, Mrs. Sinclair,” he suggested.  “I do not see how we can get along without her.”

“But I cannot afford that, captain,” the widow replied.

“Can’t afford what?”

“To pay her board.”

“Who said anything about paying?” the captain demanded.  “She’s worth more than her board any day.  We don’t want any money.  If ye’ll let her stay with us we’ll be quite willin’ to pay you something fer her.  We need her, and so do the scouts.  It’ll be a shame to take her back to that stuffy city at this time of the year.”