“Aye!” voted every scout present.
“All right, then, that’s settled—Miss Wilkinson can let me know when you want to begin. Now I won’t bother you any more. But tell me the date of the doll exhibition, so I can be on hand. I’d like to bring a bunch of flowers to the mother of the doll-baby I like best.”
Queenie felt a sudden thrill pass through her. How wonderful it would be to wear a gift from him! Then she glanced at her own sewing and realized that her doll would never win a prize. Unless perhaps he might have a personal interest in her, and would identify her doll, and give her the flowers simply as a gift, in that guise. That possibility buoyed her up; she resolved not to answer Sam’s letter until after the exhibition, for, after all, the latter could not compare in any way with Mr. Richards.
The scout master’s share in the affair seemed to give it an added attraction, for after his visit the girls worked willingly, stopping only when it was time for basketball practice. Only twice was the sewing excluded, on the occasions of the two League games, and as these both resulted in victories for their team, they did not feel that they had been robbing their basketball time. About the middle of March, just one week before the final deciding game of the League, they gave their little exhibition.
As John had originally planned, there were fifteen dolls in all. Most of the girls had dressed two; Queenie and Aggie and Annie had been satisfied with one. They arranged them to advantage in Miss Winthrop’s office, and awaited their guests.
Only a small number had been invited—Mrs. Hadley and John, Mr. Richards, Jack, Lily and Miss Winthrop. They were to vote by ballot for their favorite, and the prize was to be awarded to the girl who received the most votes. Mr. Richards, however, reserved the right to control the sole vote upon his own prize.
Queenie, who entertained no hope of winning Mrs. Hadley’s prize, watched Mr. Richards furtively as he strolled from doll to doll, picking them up now and then, apparently inspecting them carefully. She actually trembled when she recognized her own doll in his hand.
The balloting was concluded; Marjorie collected the votes and counted them, while the girls busied themselves by serving the lemonade and cakes they had provided in honor of their guests. In a few moments the captain returned, a bright smile on her face. It was evident that she was well satisfied with the result of the election.
She went over to the table and selected the winning dolls, holding them up for the others to see. With a gasp Queenie realized that hers had not been chosen!
“Mrs. Hadley’s prize—the first prize—goes to this cute little doll in pink,” she announced—“which was dressed by Dot Williams. And the second prize goes to the baby doll, whose clothing was made by Goldie Ernsberg.”