“Captain Wilkinson,” she said, “this was a little surprise party that your mother and I planned for you tonight, and I hope the shock won’t be too much for you, because a bigger one yet is comin’. But you seem pretty strong now, so I guess you’ll survive.”
Marjorie’s eyes shone with anticipation; Queenie was always doing something unusual, something delightful.
“Well,” she continued, “you said tonight at dinner you were afraid we might not stick to you, and be scouts. We’re here tonight to tell you we’re goin’ to, and by way of showin’ our colors, we want to tell you just how serious we are. We all have our little story. Clara, you first!”
All eyes immediately shifted to the girl in question, but undaunted, she followed her cue.
“I’ve been studyin’ stenography, and I’ve landed a job with the Curtis’. It was scouts started me thinkin’ about my old job, and not bein’ satisfied.”
“Good work!” approved Marjorie with a genuine pleasure.
“You next, Stella and Annie.”
“Miss Wilkinson knows we’re takin’ up swimmin’ at the Y. W.”, answered Stella for both of them, “but she don’t know we’ve been takin’ the normal course. And we’ve been appointed swimmin’ teachers at a girls’ camp for the summer.”
“Great!” exclaimed Marjorie absolutely bewildered by the actual realization of her own dreams for her scouts. “I certainly do congratulate you both!”
“And of course you know Dot and the twins are makin’ good at school,” added Queenie, “and Aggie always was a plugger.” She paid no attention to the giggles that greeted this last remark, but proceeded right on to her climax—the thing, as she told Mr. Richards, “that would knock Miss Wilkinson’s eye out.”