The Girl Scouts' Captain — Key Ideas to Explore

he same year, were parked in a line to the side of the main entrance to Turner College, awaiting their owners’ wishes. It was almost dark, and their lights had not been turned on, but the illumination from the college windows made them clearly visible. The days were growing so short that soon the girls would be obliged to put the cars away before supper.

Out of the wide open doorway five figures suddenly appeared, and with arms linked together slowly descended the steps. They wore light summer dresses and gay sweaters; their heads were still bobbed; only one of them displayed a “shingle.” It was the one time of the day that these girls still saved for each other, “in memory,” as Alice Endicott put it, “of the senior patrol of Pansy Troop of Girl Scouts.”

“Without any prejudice,” remarked Florence Evans, a junior at the college, “wouldn’t you pick out my car for the one in the best condition?”

“Not at all!” returned Lily Andrews, the senior who rejoiced in the “shingle bob”; “mine’s had the best care of any of them—and it looks it!”

“Don’t forget I spent all last Saturday with mine!” put in Florence proudly.

“Then you must have been running it pretty hard, if it needed so much attention!” returned Lily.

“Really, I think they’re all splendid!” cried Daisy Gravers, as she fumbled for her key, and inserted it in the lock. “And there’s never a day goes past, Alice, that I don’t feel grateful to your Aunt Emeline for such marvellous presents.”

“Well, we earned ’em!” remarked Florence, who was never inclined to be sentimental.

“Do you ever hear from Aunt Emeline?” inquired Daisy. “Or,” she added laughingly, “the nephews?”

“Yes, Aunt Emeline’s disappointed that we’re not doing something to continue our troop. She says she never saw such a plucky set of girls.”

“Well, we certainly had fun!” observed Marjorie Wilkinson reminiscently. “I consider my Girl Scout experience the best part of my life!”

“You mean, _so far_,” her roommate corrected her. “The poet says, ‘The best is yet to be * * *’, and I believe it. Well, girls, everybody ready to hit the trail?”

They fell into line in the road, passed through the college gate, and descended the hill to the garage. It was not until after they had left their cars that conversation was resumed.

“You all going to the dance in the gym tonight?” asked Daisy.

“I am,” replied Florence, without any hesitation; “and so is Alice. How about you two reverend seniors?”

Marjorie shook her head.

“No, I’m too tired; I’m going to stay home. And I’m hoping that maybe Lil is going to keep me company.”

Lily, however, looked doubtful.

“I really don’t approve, Marj; I think you ought to be mingling with the girls as much as possible now—they expect it and they want to see you. Don’t forget that you’re a candidate for senior presidency.”

“Bosh!” exclaimed Marjorie, lightly. “You know I won’t play politics, Lil!”

“That isn’t playing politics, my dear. But naturally the girls want a leader who is sociable. And really, you’re just the one for the office.”

“It’s awfully nice of you to say that, Lil, but I guess you’re prejudiced. And I honestly don’t care a lot about having it, so I’m not going to work for it.” Her tone grew pleading, “Lil, be nice and stay home with me!”

“She will, Marj, don’t worry!” remarked Alice. “She always does what you want.”

“Yes, and Marj does what I want, too,” added Lily, squeezing her arm affectionately. “So I’m not going to urge her if she’s tired.” Then, with a sly glance at the others, “She’ll be elected, anyhow!”

When they were alone, they dropped comfortably into their favorite seats, smiling across at each other in content. Both had been hiking all afternoon, through the lovely autumn woods, and both appreciated the chance to rest. There were so few such chances in a busy senior’s life!

“Lil,” began Marjorie, dreamily, as she let her gaze wander about the familiar sitting room which had been so dear to them both for three years, “Lil, I would like to do something this year.”

“Do something!” repeated the other, in amazement, “why you have so much to do now that you don’t know which way to turn! And then if you are elected, as you probably will be——”