"Of course, your success is quite wonderful. May I add, however, that such deeds as Pauline's and Mary Lee's stand out. Of course, Mary Lee was able to use some money which was her own but she showed that she did not ask anyone else to do what she was not willing to do herself. Pauline and several of the other girls have shown originality. As you all know, it is the desire of the President to have all the people subscribe to the Liberty Bonds. It would be a simple matter if only those who are specially well-to-do should subscribe.
"We will continue the sale of Liberty Bonds for ten more days. After that we shall have to turn our attention to getting contributions for the Red Cross work. How much do you think we can pledge our group to collect?"
There was a pause of many minutes. Finally Ruth inquired:
"How much do they expect us to collect?"
The other girls nodded in approval of the question.
"Well," Miss James answered, "Mrs. Anderson and I saw the local representative of the Red Cross Committee, as you know. I told them that we had one hundred and twenty girls, some more active than others, some better able to collect subscriptions than others, although all are equally willing. They thought we should be able to collect three hundred dollars. Do you think that is too much?"
The girls thought for a few minutes.
"If each of us collected two dollars and fifty cents, that would mean three hundred dollars, would it not, Miss James?" one of the girls asked.
Miss James nodded her head in assent.
"We will be able to do that, of course. Let us pledge that much but make a private pledge to ourselves that we get at least five hundred dollars. I so move," said Mary Lee.