CHAPTER VI.
THE HIKE.
Although Marjorie knew that her project was a success as far as it had gone, she was nevertheless deeply worried about the future. How would she ever be able to keep such girls amused? They would certainly be bored by such activities as knot-tying and first-aid, yet they were not equipped to enter the more exciting scout contests or prepared to engage in camping trips. One dull meeting, she felt, would kill what ambition they had.
Accordingly, she spent a great deal of time upon her preparations for the second meeting, and hit upon a program that she was sure would appeal to the girls. Her brother had a friend who had for many years been interested in scouting, first as a member himself, then as a scout-master, and now as District Manager. Not only was Walter Richards an authority on the subject, but he possessed a splendid personality, was a forceful speaker—and, what would appeal most to the girls—he was unmarried. She resolved to write to ask him to give the troop a fifteen minute talk on the meaning and the ideals of the twin organizations.
As she had anticipated, she found that with the exception of Queenie and one or two others, the girls had scarcely looked into their handbooks. If, however, they expected to be scolded, they received a surprise.
“I hoped you would,” she said, as she removed her hat, “but I didn’t count on it. So I have invited a young man, who is a Boy Scout leader, to come and tell you about it.”
The inevitable question followed. It was Aggie who voiced it.
“Is he married?”
“No.”
“Engaged?”
“I think not.”