A bunch of the herbs decorated the small round table.
Edith Linder disappeared toward the kitchen for the tea, while the three others sat down.
“Edith Linder has been a success as a Girl Scout this summer, has she not, Sheila? We did our best to prepare for the honor last winter. Edith and I realized that Tory opposed her joining your troop.”
Tory flushed.
“Is it very kind of you, Memory Frean, to refer to one’s past mistakes, especially when I am your guest?”
Memory Frean laid her large but beautiful hand, a little roughened from outdoor work, upon Tory Drew’s sensitive, slender one.
“I suppose I should apologize to you, Tory. I only meant to say that I am glad you finally agreed to allow Edith to enter your Patrol. I do not believe any of you quite realize what the honor meant to her. In a brief time she seems to have changed more than any one I have ever known. She had not had much of a chance in the past. Occasionally last winter, when she was with me, she gave Tory the right to her prejudice.”
The large hand had not been raised from the smaller one.
Still weary, from what cause she could not guess, Tory felt as if the strength and vitality of the older woman were flowing gently into her.
Scarcely listening more than was necessary for politeness, she leaned her head against her companion’s shoulder.