Marjorie noticed a revival of interest when this question was asked; almost subconsciously she realized that pleasure in one form or another was these girls’ idol. Yet how could she give them the kind they wanted, and, if she could, would she be willing? Was it not rather her duty to create a new ideal for them?
“Winning that car was only a side-line for us,” she told them finally. “A wealthy old lady had read some accounts of our troop’s doings in the newspapers, and wanted to prove our mettle. So she wrote to us that if we would motor to California without accepting any assistance of any kind from men along the road, and if we would make the trip in six weeks’ time, and not spend more than a certain amount of money, she’d give each girl a new roadster as a reward.”
“Phew!” whistled Queenie in admiration. “And you really did it?”
“Yes, we did, though lots of times we thought we had lost out. Once we got stuck in the mud, and some men offered to pull us out, and two or three times we were held up and robbed. One car was stolen from us, too. It certainly was exciting. But girls, you mustn’t bank on things like that happening. We had been scouts for five years then, and had been working terribly hard. And perhaps ours is the only troop in the country that had such an experience.”
“Then tell us about some of the good times you had your first year,” suggested Stella Cox.
“Our first year was a good deal like any other troop’s first year. We had hikes, worked to pass our tenderfoot, second-class, and first-class tests, met some other troops, had contests, and finally went camping the first summer. Of course that was the best of all.”
“How soon can we go camping?” asked Queenie.
“After you pass your second-class tests, and prove by your hikes that you have some knowledge of the out-of-doors. We’ll have to arrange some Saturday afternoon hikes to learn the essentials of camp life——”
“Now, girls, are you ready to vote on the question? Do you, or do you not want to organize as a scout troop?”
Looking about the group, she saw hesitation written on several of their countenances; only their youthful leader seemed to sustain the enthusiasm. As usual, she was the spokesman.