Nita looked seriously at the Guide for a few moments. Evidently what she saw had a softening effect. She stood with her fingers twisting a handkerchief for a time, then said, "I buried it!"
"Can you find it readily?"
"If I want to. I know the spot well enough!"
"Then you will go for it when we are through with our talk, but I think it is time to tell you a few things that I am quite sure you never heard before. From all I hear, your mother would avoid speaking to you on this subject, but I have always maintained that it is a mother's sacred duty and privilege to advise a daughter so that she cannot possibly take a wrong step during her years of character-forming."
Nita looked about nervously as if she wished to run away, but the Guide drew her down to a log and sat with an arm over her shoulder. She began in an interesting way to tell the girl about her own maidenhood and what a wonderful mother she was blessed with. She attributed all of her present success and happiness to the warnings and advice of that fine woman. Then, she said, "I have no idea of marrying or having children of my own, so I consider it my privilege to help other girls who do not have the homes where they can seek knowledge for future guidance.
"Nita, dear, I know more than you think I do, of your need of just such knowledge, and a friend who is eager to help. You have been travelling the wrong trail all of your life, and it may be that you are now selected by the Great Spirit to show the mistakes in your home life, and introduce a new order of things."
After a long talk of past errors, her present misunderstanding of the life of a Woodcraft girl, and the bright future open to her for mere acceptance, the Guide concluded, saying, "Nita, you must not rebel at what I am now going to say."
The girl had listened with surprise at the Guide's first sentences, which showed that she was acquainted with certain conditions of the Brampton's home habits. But the poor child had never had any one explain so simply and conclusively the awful evil finally resulting from a life such as she was beginning. She saw the entire mistaken view her parents took and wondered that they could be so blinded to her well-being. She heard with trembling, of the results of indulgence in wine and promiscuous fellowship. And Nita wept and was thoroughly shaken as the kind voice continued showing pictures of what is sure to come to one who is irregardless of morals and the conscience within us given by the Great Spirit for the leading along the pathway from earth to heaven.
When Miss Miller made her final request, Nita was so plastic that she could mould her into any future.
"Would you mind telling me how this meeting took place to-day?"