The girls heard these words with increasing anger; inwardly they all felt a rising hostility. It was Alice, however, who impulsively voiced the sentiment of the group.
“And you actually expect to go to the ranch with us?” she blurted out, in an insolent tone. “You!”
“Those are your captain’s orders!” replied Miss Proctor.
“The captain has gone mad!” cried the girl, completely losing control of herself.
Marjorie and Lily, however, who knew that no such person as Miss Proctor existed, began to guess that someone was playing a practical joke on them. Marjorie decided to find out, if possible, while still keeping the other girls in the dark as to the real situation. So she struck upon a bold plan.
“Are you sure,” she began sarcastically, “that you are old enough to be a lieutenant, Miss Proctor?”
The other scouts opened their mouths in speechless amazement at the audacity of such a speech from Marjorie Wilkinson. Could this be the same girl who was always so courteous and polite, especially with older people? But if they were surprised at the girl’s question, they were dumbfounded at the old woman’s reply.
“Don’t get fresh!” she snapped, in a voice suspiciously youthful.
“And have you passed your examination?” continued Marjorie, calmly.
“Certainly I have! The captain gave it to me herself!”