The argument, be it said, was upon the subject of hats. Joanne had insisted upon wearing the new one; her grandmother had declared she must not, as the weather was unsettled, and she might spot the velvet of the hat. Joanne had said she would carry an umbrella, but this did not satisfy Mrs. Selden, who declared it was not suitable to wear a new hat in the rain. Then came the flouncing out of the room. Now Joanne reëntered wearing the old hat. She gave her grandmother a parting kiss but to her grandfather she gave an extra hug. She was off to a matinée with Winnie and Claudia and did want to show off the new hat which had come home only the evening before.
She found the girls waiting for her. She saw that both wore their last year’s suits and hats and was glad she had taken her grandmother’s advice.
“Clausie saw Miss Dodge to-day,” began Winnie, “and she wants us to think up some way of earning Christmas money for charity. It seems to me we exhausted our ingenuity upon the garden party; for my part I haven’t an idea left in my head. Claus thinks each one might do some special thing to earn money, but as for team work I don’t see what is left to do. How’s your brain working, Jo? Anything to suggest?”
“Not when you spring it on me like that, but I’ll try to start the old thing going and let you know later on.”
“We’ve got to be up and doing,” Clausie reminded her, “for Christmas is marching on apace.”
“Don’t I know it? There’s no doubt but it’s a great thing to be a Girl Scout, but it certainly does keep you hustling.”
Interested as the girls were in the play, between acts they reverted to this conversation, but were no nearer a plan at the close than they were in the beginning.
“Maybe some of the other girls will have a brilliant idea to suggest,” said Clausie as they parted, “but keep on your thinking cap just the same, Jo.”
Joanne promised and went on home through the rain which was now falling steadily. In spite of it she found that the Pattisons had come to dinner, as it was their habit to do once a week at least, and this generally on Saturday.
They were all sitting around talking seriously when Joanne came in. “It was a lovely show,” she said as she drew off her gloves and cuddled up to Mrs. Pattison on the sofa. “Why do you all look so grave?”