“Then what for do the rest of ’em--?” began Mr. Grimes, but in a very different tone of voice. “Explain, Betty. He’ll listen to you,” urged Mona. Thus adjured, the Mascot, feeling at the moment how very little she really knew about Guiding, did try to explain. “Yes, I’m Betty Carlyle, and I do remember the baby, and I’m very glad he got well,” she said shyly; “and I wouldn’t, and not one of us would, ever think you’d taken our Cup. We’re Guides, and we’re friends of all the world, you see--at least we’d like to be--and if we’ve done anything un-Guidy, we’re very sorry,” she finished up. “It was us that did; not you and Gerry. And we are awfully sorry,” put in Mona, addressing Mr. Grimes. “Well, you can’t say no more than that same. And it’s only fair and square to take your word,” remarked the caravan owner, extending a horny fist. In ten minutes the entire party were the best of friends. Apologies had been exchanged between Mona and Rene and the Grimes family; kisses had been exchanged between the Guides and the baby. (“There’s not a mite of risk, little Miss Carlyle, dear, not this time anyways; an’ you can tell the doctor, your Dada, with our duty, as how you met us an’ the baby was doing fine; fer a true friend he’s been!”) The caravan started again upon its way, while the Guides, still waving in response to salutations with a whip, turned their course towards the arranged meeting-place with the head girl. “I say, we’ve got to tell Sybil,” remarked Mona. “And we’ll deserve anything for letting down the Guides.” They marched gravely along four abreast without saying a word for a while. It was Rene who suddenly, as they reached the last ridge, voiced the thoughts of herself and Mona. “I say, it was wonderful about you and the baby,” she remarked, turning to Betty. “If it hadn’t been that you’d been so friend-to-all-the-worldy, you know--and even before you’d ever heard of Guides, too!--we might have had a much worse time!” “Yes,” agreed Mona. Betty said nothing, but her heart gave a jump of joy. “She’s proved that she’s a real true Mascot anyway, hasn’t she?” remarked Gerry loyally. “Rather,” agreed the others. Betty’s heart suddenly felt lighter than it had felt for days. CHAPTER XIV THE PIONEER PICNIC The days had gone by since the tracking expedition; but nothing had been heard of the Cup. The junior Daisies had walked warily, however, since then--the unfortunate result of their excessive zeal having been a lesson to each one of the four girls concerned.