“Well, the Camp Fire Girls are like the Scouts,” continued Alice, “only different. It isn’t so military. The camp fire is our symbol, and our seven laws are—‘seek beauty’——”
“None of you have to!” declared Jack gallantly, bowing with his hand on his heart.
“Thank you!” chorused the trio, Marie being out in the kitchen interviewing the maid.
“Go on, Alice,” urged Natalie.
“‘Seek beauty,’” resumed the girl, “‘give service—pursue knowledge—be trustworthy—hold on to health—glorify work—be happy.’ There, I think I’ve said them right.”
“You have,” murmured Mabel.
“Very nice,” asserted Phil.
“And there are three degrees,” proceeded Alice. “We have just joined, so we are humble wood-gatherers, may it please your gracious highnesses,” and she dropped a pretty courtesy to the boys. “After three months’ service as such, we may become fire-makers, and that’s a lot harder. And then the next is torch-bearer, which is harder still. But we’re not worrying about that. See our rings—aren’t they dears?” and she held out her hand which Jack promptly captured, to the discomfiture of Phil, who had also made an attempt at the slim fingers.
Then from the piano, which had suddenly ceased its melody there came a voice:
“No, Blake, you mustn’t take off my ring—really. Oh, stop—there, you’ve dropped it!”