“No-o,” returned Joanne a little doubtfully, “but I don’t suppose I will turn into a lion of courage at once.”
“But I suppose the attacks will become less and less severe,” responded Claudia with a little laugh. “If you just take a dose of Girl Scout law when you find them coming on they will soon cease to be chronic. If you find the condition persists, just call up Miss Dodge; she will give you a prescription.”
Joanne laughed. “You’d think with a doctor grandfather I wouldn’t need one. He isn’t quite as indulgent as Gradda, and really can be quite severe at times, though I can usually coax him into doing what I want.”
Claudia shook her head. “Bad child; that’s taking a mean advantage, and you mustn’t do it.”
“Oh, dear, no, I suppose I mustn’t. It seems to me that being a Girl Scout means a lot more than just getting badges.”
“Of course it does. It means character building.”
“And health building. I seem a long way off from being even a Second Class Scout.”
“Don’t you believe it. It is a question of will. Make up your mind and then go to it. Why, my child, if you did but know it you are on the high road already.”
“Why, Claudia, after this morning?”
“Don’t say ‘after this morning,’ say after to-day. Honestly now, would you have looked at things last evening at this time as you are doing this evening? All things being equal, if the trip to your cousin’s were planned for to-morrow instead of to-day would you dissolve into a weepy mess of tears when you found we couldn’t go?”