“Then you are not fit to receive your ring,” said Eleanor.
CHAPTER VI
AN UNHAPPY ENDING
There was a gasp of astonishment and dismay from the girls. Somehow all seemed to feel as if Eleanor’s reproach were directed at them instead of at the pale and angry Gladys, who stood, scarcely able to believe her ears, looking at the Guardian. There had been no anger in Eleanor’s voice–only sorrow and distress.
“Why, what do you mean, Miss Mercer?” Gladys gasped.
“Exactly what I say, Gladys,” said Eleanor, in the same level voice. “You are not fit to be one of us unless you mean sincerely and earnestly to keep the Law of the Fire. We are a sisterhood; no girl who is not only willing, but eager, to become our sister, may join us.”
Slowly the meaning of her rejection seemed to sink into the mind of Gladys.
“Do you mean that you’re not going to let me join?” she asked in a shrill, high-pitched voice that showed she was on the verge of giving way to an outbreak of hysterical anger.
“For your own sake it is better that you should not join now, Gladys. Listen to me. I do not blame you greatly for this. I would rather have you act this way than be a hypocrite, pretending to believe in our law when you do not.”
“Oh, I hate you! I hate the Camp Fire! I wouldn’t join for anything in the world, after this!”