Toward the end of the evening the girls suddenly bethought themselves of a plan they had formulated a few days before the arrival of Letty's father.
It was Letty who opened the campaign.
"We feel it our patriotic duty to sell you a Liberty Bond—or more than one," the girl added as the idea suddenly came to her that one was not very much for her rich father to buy.
"Oh," her father ejaculated in surprise. "And why, young lady?" And his words sounded so serious and businesslike that neither Letty nor Mary Lee noticed the humor lurking in his eyes. "Why should you feel it to be your duty to sell them to me?"
"It is not only our duty to sell bonds, but it is the duty of everyone in the country." It was Mary Lee who answered and even as she spoke a sudden idea came to her mind. It was still a little hazy and so she said nothing more.
"How many do you think I should buy?" Mr. Saunders queried trying hard to maintain a business-like appearance.
"How many?" Letty repeated. She tried hard to think of a number that would seem consistent. It was apparent to her father that she was flustered.
"I think five would be right," and then it occurred to her that five wasn't enough. "I mean ten—or perhaps eight," the girl finally concluded, rather lamely.
"Well, my dears, it may interest you to know that I have bought not ten, nor eight, but two hundred; and I am to buy some more within the next few days."
"My," said Letty, in awed tones into which there crept a measure of disappointment. "Then we cannot sell you any? Not even one?" she added coaxingly, with a sudden renewal of hope.