They were having such a delightful party that they were all surprised when six o'clock came, and Miss Phillips gave the signal for departure. The Scouts put on their hats and coats, and, with their arms laden with goodies, and gifts, and holly, the children returned to the village.
Lily reappeared, dressed in her Scout uniform, to accompany them. One of the children, who had been looking at her closely for several minutes, exclaimed abruptly,
"Santa Claus is a Girl Scout!"
The Scouts burst out laughing.
"He was this time," explained Edith, kindly; "for the real Santa had too much to do, so he asked us to help him."
"You are all Santa Clauses!" corrected the child. "I think Girl Scouts are the most nicest people in the whole world!"
And Pansy troop, to the last girl, was satisfied with the work it had accomplished and the real Christmas cheer it had brought to these children's hearts.