Jacqueline had insisted mention be made of the "joy" the woods play had brought to her. So the award was made in that way.
Madaline was admiring Cleo's cross when she heard her name called. Captain Clark announced: "A tiny four-leaf clover picked and bestowed in love as a nature gift is not too small to be recognized, and when Madaline Mower hurried after the wheel-chair of this little queen she touched a secret spring. An honor badge' must mark the result," and the much-astonished Madaline also received an award from the queen.
"And who in this troop lost a merit badge?" joyously asked the queen, as soon as her words could be heard through the growing excitement.
"Oh, I did!" almost shouted Margaret Slowden, rushing forward without waiting to be called.
There was the much-prized merit badge! The one originally bestowed upon her on such an auspicious occasion.
When Captain Clark again pinned it on Margaret's breast it seemed like a blessing that had grown greater by reason of its loss. And how delighted the girls were! It was a clear case of "No questions asked."
Over on a little moss-covered tree stump Tessie and Rose alone knew the complete story of that lost badge, and only their eyes attempted to give an expression to the details.
The call to "fall in ranks" was not sounded for a full hour later, for such a picnic as these girls enjoyed had never been heard of in River Bend Woods.
All the wealth and generosity of Gerald Douglass seemed poured out in his sister's woody banquet; and as we have guessed he was by no means a stranger to the attractive Captain Clark. In fact, the way these two worked to "lay out the spread" caused even the experienced Captain Cosgrove to raise an inquisitorial finger.
And now our mythical May-pole has swung around until its pretty ends all entwine the staff like a monument of mirth.