"What system, I'd like to know?" Ruth asked, in surprise.
"System of martyrdom, I guess," sniffed Helen.
"You've said it," agreed the plump girl. "That is the truest word yet spoken. Martyrdom! that is what it means for me."
"What means to you?" snapped Helen, exasperated because she could not understand.
"This dieting and exercising," Jennie said more cheerfully. "I deliberately came so far and without food to see if I couldn't really lose some weight. Do you know, girls, I am so hollow and so tired right now, that I believe I must have lost a few ounces, anyway."
"You ridiculous thing!" laughed Helen, recovering her good nature.
"Should we sacrifice ourselves for your benefit, do you think, Jennie?" Ruth asked.
"Why not? 'Love thy neighbor as thyself,' only more so. I need the inspiration of you girls to help me," Jennie declared. "Do you know, sometimes I am almost discouraged?"
"About what?" asked Helen.
"About my weight. I watch the bathroom scales with eagle eye. But instead of coming down by pounds, I only fall by ounces. It is awfully discouraging. And then," added the fleshy girl, "the other day when we had such a scrumptuous dinner—was it Columbus Day? I believe so—I was tempted to eat one of my old-time 'full and plenty' meals, and what do you think?"