No one answered.
"Why don't we change the subject and talk about something pleasant," complained Arline Thayer.
"Do you remember saying to me the night before we went home that you had thought of a lovely plan?" reminded Grace.
"Yes," returned Arline. "I am glad you reminded me of it while we are all here. Just before I went home for my vacation the idea popped into my head that we ought to organize some kind of society for helping these girls who come to Overton with little or no money and who depend on the work they find to do here to help them through college."
"Like me," put in Ruth slyly.
"Don't interrupt me," retorted Arline, smiling at Ruth. "When I went home I had a talk with Father, and he has promised to give me five hundred dollars with which to start a fund. Now, what I propose to do is to organize a little society of our own with this same object in view. There is one society of that kind here at Overton, but it is always so besieged with requests for help that I don't imagine it more than keeps its head above water. There is room for another, at any rate. I don't see why we can't be the girls to organize it." Arline looked questioningly about the circle of interested faces.
"I think it would be splendid," said Miriam emphatically. "I know my mother would contribute toward it."
"So would Pa and Ma," declared Elfreda. "Suppose we all write home to-night."
"What do you think of it, Grace and Anne?" asked Arline. "So far neither of you has said a word."
"Neither has Ruth made any remarks," replied Anne. "Why don't you ask her? I think she has something to say on the subject."