“You are an idealist, Bettina, and the type of idealist who demands the impossible. Human beings can not care for one another in the same degree. It is against the law of nature itself. We can be loyal and interested in every member of our Camp Fire group, yet we cannot care for each one alike. You yourself are unable to, for no one has taken Peggy Webster’s place with you, and perhaps no one of us ever shall.”
Half shyly the girls glanced from one to the other when Mary Gilchrist had ceased speaking. Gill dropped her eyes so that their gaze appeared concentrated upon her hands which she held folded together in her lap.
The fact that Gill for many months had made every effort to fill Peggy’s place in Bettina’s friendship was well known to every one of the other girls, except perchance to Bettina herself. Yet if at first Bettina had seemed to welcome the other girl’s admiration and in a measure to return her affection, of late she had kept apart from her as much as possible. Bettina was not unkind, only her manner was cold and reserved. More openly Mrs. Graham betrayed less liking for Mary Gilchrist than any one of the group of Camp Fire girls.
However, as Marguerite Arnot had come from Paris to live for a time with Mrs. Graham and Bettina, it was but natural that at present they should show a special interest in her.
At this moment, as Bettina made no reply to Mary Gilchrist’s implied invitation, Sally interposed with characteristic coolness.
“Oh, I appreciate that I always have been more of an outsider than any other member of our Sunrise Camp Fire. Don’t think I am complaining; I realize that I am colder or more selfish and that I have fewer intimacies. But, Vera,” Sally’s large golden brown eyes caught those of the other girl, who plainly had been thinking of something else, “Vera, to-night, during our discussion of friendship, are you thinking of one of us, or of Billy Webster? Was he not more truly your friend than any member of our Camp Fire?”
“Sally!” came the shocked exclamation from several of the girls at the same instant.
However, Vera Lagerloff’s long eyes, with their odd foreign look, met Sally’s bravely.
“There is no reason why Sally should not speak of Billy Webster. Please do not think I ever forget him. Yes, Sally, Billy was the best friend I ever had or hope to have. Yet his death in California[2] has not left me less ready to give my friendship to our Camp Fire. Indeed, I sometimes feel it is only through the Camp Fire and our work in France that I have been able to accept Billy’s passing away.”
“‘He that loseth his life shall gain it,’” Bettina quoted softly.