CHAPTER XI

The Open-air Camp

If this particular Friday had been an exciting day to the girls of V.a., it had certainly proved a most agitating one to the Medical Officer of Health for Seaton.  Upon his energy and organization depended the prevention of a serious epidemic in the city, and he had shown himself admirably able to cope with the sudden emergency.  The Corporation had lately set up a camp for children threatened with tuberculosis, and this was commandeered by Dr. Barnes as a suitable place for quarantine.  It lay five miles away from Seaton, on the top of a hill in a very open situation in the midst of fields, so was excellently fitted for the purpose.  The children under treatment there had been hurriedly taken back to their homes in Seaton, extra beds and supplies had been sent out, and a hospital nurse installed in charge, so that all was in readiness when the char-a-banc arrived.

The Camp consisted of a long wooden shelter or shed, the south side of which was entirely open to the air.  The boarded floor was raised about three feet above the level of the field, and projected well beyond the roof line, thus forming a kind of terrace.  Inside the shelter was a row of small beds, and a space was curtained off at either end, on one side for a kitchen and on the other to make a cubicle for Miss Huntley.  Outside, under a large oak tree, stood a table and benches.  Nothing could have been more absolutely plain and bare as regards furniture.  The girls took possession, however, with the utmost enthusiasm.  The idea of “living the simple life” appealed to them.  Who wanted chairs and chests of drawers and wash-stands?  It would be fun to sleep in the shelter, and spend the whole day out of doors.

“It’s too topping for anything!” declared Marjorie Kemp, after a careful inspection of the premises.  “We shall have to keep all our things inside our bags, and wash in an enameled tin basin, and drink our tea out of mugs!”

“It will be precious having meals under that tree!” agreed Bessie Kirk.

“What shall we do if it rains?” inquired Irene Mills.

“Go to bed with hot bottles, like the children did,” replied Nurse Robinson.  “They always thought that prime fun, so I expect you will too.  You’ll soon get into the life here.”

The view from the shelter was most beautiful.  In the far away distance they could see the towers of Seaton Minster and the spires of the churches, while all around lay lush meadows, fields of growing corn, and woods in the glory of June foliage.  The Camp stood in the corner of a very large pasture, with hedges all covered with lovely wild roses and tangles of honeysuckle, while a wood close by showed a tempting vista of pine trees.  The fresh country air and the smell of flowers and pines were delicious.