One afternoon the members of the club had been invited to afternoon tea.
At present it was five o'clock and tea was about to be served.
The older guests, following their usual custom, were on the big veranda of the front lawn, leaving the younger club members entirely free from their society.
Flinging off the pink muslin hat she had been wearing, Martha Putnam wiped a few drops of perspiration from her face, sighed and then laughed.
"Jeanette Colter," she called across to the other girl, sitting on the ground a few yards away, "I have been thanking the kind fates all afternoon that we did not decide to award the mysterious silver arrow to the member of our club who became the best archer. After my efforts this afternoon I am certain that I am less apt to succeed as an archer than to prove myself the most courageous of us all. By the way, don't you think we have been singularly lacking in opportunities to display our courageous natures this summer? Jeanette won the riding contest, but no one has accomplished anything else exciting or dramatic. During other summers people in the neighborhood have nearly drowned in one of the swimming pools, or horses have run away. There have been accidents that might offer opportunities for heroism."
Martha repressed a slight yawn of fatigue and extended her hand for the iced tea Cecil Perry was at this instant offering her.
"I do think it will be embarrassing if no one wins the silver arrow this summer after all our plans."
"Sorry I cannot accommodate you, Martha, by risking my neck so you could have the glory and distinction of saving me. I might try to drown in Rainbow Creek when you were near, but it would be difficult, the water is so shallow at present. Want to walk over toward the creek with me and see me make the attempt? Rescuing me would undoubtedly spoil your pink frock," Cecil Perry challenged.
Martha laughed.
"Oh, I was bluffing so far as I am concerned. I have no courage of any kind. Just the same I have sometimes wondered whether the silver arrow is to be bestowed on the one of us who displays the greatest physical courage or the greatest moral courage?"