from such a choice, and that the very freedom coveted makes her a
slave to the most cruel limits of prospects or attainments?

But we will not sermonize; even at this distance we may hold out
the strong arm of influence, assuring our readers that the highest
aims of writers and publishers are for the advancement of the
younger girls, whose minds, for the moment, are entrusted to our
keeping.

Coming back to our group of Girl Scouts, now holding conclave in
the school yard of Flosston grammar grades, we find Grace and
Madeline forming themselves into a committee of two, with the
avowed intention of getting lip a hiking party for their own
special benefit. These younger girls must soon undergo the test
necessary for their qualification as second class scouts, and a
hike on this lovely spring afternoon would aid them greatly in
acquiring the outdoor knowledge necessary.

Margaret was rather inclined to dissent when the jaunt was
proposed, she did not feel quite as hiky as usual, and she
promptly remembered she had promised her mother some assistance in
the little kitchen garden both were developing.

"Oh, come on," pleaded Grace. "If you say you want to go, I am
sure Captain Clark will agree. I know where we can get the
loveliest watercress."

This lure won Margaret, who had now fully recovered her scout
cheer, and was trying bravely to forget the loss of her cherished
badge".