"No? I made Elena, as well as all of you, think of something entirely foreign to the snake. By rousing your interest in another object, you unconsciously overcame the nausea, and later, I gradually drew your thoughts back to the very object that seemed to cause your illness, but in what a different frame of mind you examined the idea the second time. Well, girls, after all is said and done, it gets down to using our 'thinking machine more' does it not?" laughed the Guide.
"I guess you're right again—you may go to the head of the class," declared Zan.
"Do you know, girls, if I was President of this land I would have a law made that would make it imperative for every man, woman, and child to think! First of all, to think of what God means to us. Second, to think of what life means. Third, what does brotherhood really mean. Fourth, and all, inclusive, to think more of what can be done to improve the child! The child who will be the future citizen—a father or mother of future generations! Oh, I tell you, it will take thinking to lift the curse of the world, and then when one has thought deeply, to put into execution the good things that came to one in deep thinking!"
The girls smiled at what they considered Miss Miller's hobby, but they also admired her vastly for such thoughts.
While the talk drifted into other channels, Jane and Elena sought for and found some beautiful butterflies which they placed carefully in the boxes. As they turned to go back to their companions, Elena had an inspiration.
"Jane, you know it is Miss Miller's birthday the end of this month—what do you say to our making her a lovely tray with some of our best butterflies?"
"Tray? How would you make it?" wondered Jane.
"Why, we can send in to one of the department stores and buy the wooden frame with the glass and back ready-made. By grouping grasses and butterflies artistically on the cotton under the glass, and screwing the back on again, we would have a beauty!"
"Sure! That'll be fine, Elena! And why can't we try for a coup at the same time?"