A naughty twinkle came into Marjorie’s eyes.
“I am counting on you, Lily!”
“Oh, no, Marj! Oh, I just couldn’t! I wouldn’t be one bit of use! I—”
“You’re very brave, Lily!” teased her chum.
“Well, I will if you want me to!” she sighed, meekly.
“No, Lil dear, I don’t want you to,” Marjorie reassured her. “In fact, I don’t want any girl to! I’m going to make use of my brother—and perhaps some of the other boys. But don’t say a word about that part of the scheme. It’s a dead secret.”
“All right,” agreed Lily. “I really do feel relieved, though.”
They talked of other things for a while—Lily’s trip; her visit to Mrs. Trawle, whose health was still improving; the picnic; and the outlook for the tea-house. Lily said that her father felt immensely proud of the scouts for being able to repay that loan so quickly.
“He said you were such a capable little business woman, Marj, that it would be pity for you to get married,” she added.
“I’m not thinking of getting married,” replied Marjorie. “In fact, the only time I do think of it is when you mention it.”