The teachers talked for a long time over the affair, but finally Miss Phillips triumphed. Ruth’s case was to be put up to the Girl Scouts, while she remained away from the meeting; they were to decide whether or not she was to stay in the troop. And each scout was to pledge “on her honor as a Girl Scout” never to mention the matter outside.
That afternoon Marjorie took her Latin test, and passed with flying colors; as soon as she learned of her success, she went straight to Miss Phillips.
“I will give you the Tenderfoot test to-night, if you wish,” said the Captain. “Then, if you are prepared, I will waive the usual custom, and you may take the second-class test on Friday with the eight girls who have not yet passed it.”
Lily was wild over the good news. Of course, Marjorie said nothing about the cause of her incorrect mark; she simply stated that Miss White had given her a second chance, and that Miss Phillips had arranged a special scout test.
“And I am to be taken in on Friday,” she said, hugging her room-mate joyfully. “Think of it, Lil, a Girl Scout at last!”
Every girl in the troop was genuinely glad to welcome Marjorie into their ranks. She had waited so long for her happiness; she trembled now lest something should happen to destroy it. She made a supreme effort to calm herself sufficiently to take the second-class test.
But before the candidates were given their papers, Miss Phillips announced that she had a matter of serious importance to bring to their consideration.
“It concerns one of your sister scouts,” she said.
The girls looked questioningly from one to another. Ruth, only, was missing; but no one had thought anything of that after her adventure on Sunday; they all attributed her absence to the cold she had contracted. Several of the girls thought of Marjorie; her entrance into the troop had been out of the usual order of things; perhaps Miss Phillips meant her.
The Captain, however, hastened to tell the story as impersonally as she could. Consternation seized the group; they listened breathlessly.