“Well, suppose she does,” Winnie spoke up; “somebody has to be first and why shouldn’t she be?”
“But she is the very newest member of the troop, and it isn’t fair.”
“Why isn’t it?”
“Oh, because.”
“That’s no reason. You’re jealous, Ess; that’s what’s the matter with you. Jo has never had half a chance; she’s just had to wander around with her grandmother, and be fussed over and not allowed to do this because it was hoydenish, or do that because it might injure her health, yet all the time she should have been free to do the very things she is doing now. Her grandmother is a dear, but she is as old-fashioned and conventional as they make ’em, and expects to make Joanne after the pattern of her own youth which isn’t the style nowadays. Jo is as bright as a button and I, for one, am mighty proud that she belongs to our troop and specially to our patrol; so should you be, Miss Jealousy.”
Esther pouted, but, like the rest of the girls, was accustomed to Winnie’s very frank way of dealing with a subject, a way which no one resented for very long, because no one could help loving Winnie, and in the end, thanking her for her wholesome truths.
Claudia, equally beloved, was more diplomatic, and presented her truths more palatably; as Winnie said: “Clausie always gives you a pill in jelly,” so at this juncture she remarked: “Ess is too loyal to her troop not to be proud of every one of its members, and she’s too good a Girl Scout not to stand up for any girl that is criticized. I’ll venture to say she would take up the cudgels for Joanne or any one of us if occasion required.”
“Of course I would,” maintained Esther. So were matters smoothed out, and never again was Esther heard to say that Joanne should not have all the credit she deserved.
Winnie found Joanne taking vigorous measures to get rid of her smudges. “I’m a perfect sight,” she said. “Did you observe that lovely streak of smut upon my nose, and the lateral one across my cheek? I’ve scrubbed and scrubbed, but it was hard to get clean. I think I nearly am. What do you think?” She turned a softly reddened face toward her friend.
“I think you are a darling,” answered Winnie catching her in her arms and kissing her. “Honest Injun, Jo, weren’t you on the verge of nervous prostration when you reached the foot of that cliff?”