"What branch did you fail in, Alice?" she asked, in the most matter-of-fact tone she could assume. She knew that here in public was no place for sympathy.
"Chemistry!" answered Alice, with a brave effort to suppress a sob.
"Chemistry?" repeated Marjorie. "But I don't understand—I thought you made ninety-five in that test!"
"I did; but I cut three afternoon lab periods for hockey!"
Marjorie laughed in relief. "Why, child, you can easily make that up! In less than a week you'll be a Scout! Is everything else all right?"
"Apparently."
Immensely cheered by Marjorie's words and manner, Alice proclaimed herself ready to join the Girl Scouts at the other end of the room. Here they encountered wild hilarity. Everybody was congratulating the new girls. Mae VanHorn, Florence Evans, Daisy Gravers, and Barbara Hill had all made the required mark.
Alice, now quite calm and self-controlled, told her story, to which Marjorie added her own interpretation.
"But you'll miss the hike!" exclaimed Florence.