Most of these were short efforts, but raised a great deal of applause for the composers, though the term author is more appropriate, since the songs were set to popular or familiar tunes. One small author sat on a councillor’s lap and was so overcome when her pretty little song was sung that she turned her face away; and at the vociferous applause which followed, she quite hid her head on the protecting shoulder.
One of the Intermediates in Piggly-Wiggly sang all alone, in a gentle voice, two pretty verses about river, bay, island and clouds. Helen, Eloise and the rest of the girls in that senior cabin gave praise to Merrymeeting in a rousing chorus set to Yankee Doodle. Lilian, Cathalina and Betty did the singing for Squirrels’ Inn. Lilian had decided not to offer her Captain Kidd verses, declaring that there were too many active things to do at camp to bother about a “masterpiece”. Then, too, it would not turn out to be a real Merrymeeting song.
After the singing of the list, a few which were easily recognized as the best were asked for again, and the committee promised as quick a decision as possible. As it turned out, several songs were adopted as Merrymeeting songs, and several prizes were given, one to Squirrels’ Inn included.
June, Jo and Dot came around to ask Lilian what had become of the Captain Kidd song.
“Why, where did you ever hear that I was writing one?” she asked.
“I heard you and Hilary talking about it one time,” replied June.
“It isn’t much,”
“We want to hear it any way.”
“I’ll send it to the Moon and if they accept it you shall hear it read there.”
“All right. Did you hear any more facts about Captain Kidd?”