strange girl who has been living at the asylum and has just come to our
house, only told me what she knew this afternoon. But I want to find
out by living the Camp Fire idea, I want to see what we could get out of
forming a Camp Fire Club, the first one here in Woodford. Just take
Polly and Mollie and me, for example, Mary dear," she continued
coaxingly. "I am longing to know the things Mollie does about cooking
and housekeeping and all the rest and I can't learn at home. Think what
it means to go messing about in our kitchen with, cook and half a dozen
servants laughing at you! Then Mollie really would like to know what
Polly and I find so fascinating in books and in prowling about together
in the woods and Polly--well, I don't know that she wishes to learn
anything from Mollie or me or anybody else who joins our club, but if
she doesn't, that is just what she ought to learn."

Polly held up both hands. "For goodness sake, Betty, stop talking, I
will join your Camp Fire Club and be made an example of at any time,
also I will use my noble influence to persuade any girls you wish to
join. All the same I don't see what your wretched club has to do with
helping us solve our problem about mother, and that is all I care about
at present."

"Has to do,--why everything," Betty repeated slowly. But before she was
able to finish her sentence there was a sudden loud ringing of the front
door bell and the three girls jumped to their feet. In another moment
Polly had disappeared into the hall, returning with her expression
changed again to its original look of gloom.

"It's that granite man, mother, Mr. Wharton, with his entire family, son
and daughter. I wonder why they can't leave you alone after business
hours? I had to ask them in the parlor, since we can't entertain any