“And I believe sometimes that defeat is just the thing we need.”
Miss Phillips talked a long time with Marjorie, and held before her a new race to pursue; so that when Lily came back from the library and the teacher rose to go, Marjorie seemed quite happy, and promised to try again.
The next day she received her report with sixty-six in Latin; but she never saw her paper, for Miss White had burned it with the others after she had copied the marks and sent them to Miss Allen.
CHAPTER XVIII
THE SECOND-CLASS TEST
The new Scout candidates soon passed their Tenderfoot test, and registered at National Headquarters as regular members of Pansy troop. Lucy Graham, the senior, was elected patrol leader of the new patrol, and Doris Sands received the office of corporal.
The last meeting before spring vacation was held. After the usual preliminary business had been concluded, Captain Phillips said that she had several interesting announcements to make.
“To-morrow,” she said, “instead of our usual outing, we are going down in the village to Mrs. Burd’s house to cook our own supper. You know every girl has to cook something satisfactorily as a part of her second-class test; and I wasn’t quite sure how to give you the opportunity, when my friend Mrs. Burd came to the rescue, and offered us her kitchen for to-morrow night, while she and the rest of her family are away.
“Now,” she continued, after the girls had discussed her proposition for several minutes, “I have something to tell you that I know will interest you all. I have chosen the play we are going to give after spring vacation!”
“Oh, what is it?” cried Ruth informally, forgetting the usual ceremony of address.