“Why can’t they start Patrol No. 3, and belong to this same Troop,” suggested Janet.
“That’s just what I was thinking,” said Natalie.
Then Mrs. James spoke. “Nancy, you invite all these girls to our farm some day and we will entertain them. After we have shown them what we can do in Scout work we will accept them as candidates, if they consent to become our Tenderfoot Scouts. In this way, girls, you all can win the needed test to enroll as a First Class Scout when the time is at hand.”
This was an excellent idea, and the girls felt greatly encouraged at the hope of being able to take the examinations as First Class Scouts, of Patrol No. 2, of Solomon’s Seal Troop.
Nancy was entrusted with the invitation to the girls, and warned to keep secrecy about the plan to secure the approval as First Class Scouts on their Tenderfoot training.
Sam and the car were nowhere in sight when the girls reached the house, but Rachel came out and explained.
“A telerphone call come f’om Noo York f’om dat antique woman, sayin’ fer Belle t’ git dat ol’ chest of drawers oveh by Tarrytown road, right now. It war to be expressed at onct to her shop in Noo York, what Belle had an address of, so I had Sam go along to git it an’ fetch it back so’s we coul’ pack an’ ship it right off.”
“Oh, Rachel! He need not have done that! I made all arrangements with a man near there to get the chest to the railroad station and express it to the city. I was only awaiting orders,” exclaimed Belle, annoyed at the way her well-laid plans were upset.
“I wuz thinkin’, Honey, dat mebbe dat man would cost somethin’ to do t’ wuk, an’ Sam ain’t doin’ nuthin’ whiles he’s waitin’ fer orders. So yuh oughta get dat money foh yo’se’f.”
Belle had not thought of this, and now she saw that Sam and Rachel were planning for her benefit. But Frances said: “How is he ever going to carry the chest if it is a big affair?”