The Girl Scouts of the Round Table

ction after the excitement of the Chris

er learning to bear with each other more amiably, again Tory and her aunt, Miss V

t in her school work and the acquiring of friends in Westhaven. She had lost her critical attitude toward what she considered the conservative and old-fashioned views of the little New England village. Her enthusia

merican girl in the best sense of the word. This had been her father's wish in sending her to live in the United States. Since for once, and t

ss Fenton declared that the younger Victoria was returning to

ictoria's better judgment. Now and then, Tory, without sa

ks were gone. Later the Girl Scouts and her new friendships had stimulated and helped her. She had learned to love106 Memory Frean and her House i

ys she had gone at her tasks with the singing thought that whatever was worth while wo

reciated that she was asking herself if even the Girl

erself, ashamed of her disloy

imacy with Dorothy McClain, and she had depended upon D

fection for each other and that Dorothy and Louise Miller were older an

that this was partly because they had so many traits in common they could never thoroughly approve of each other. They enjoyed being together and arguing oftentimes more than a friendly calm. Besides, Dorothy's four other brothers, from the oldest to the youngest, had in a measure adopted

ure and straightforwardness never permitted her to be really unkind to any human being. She was listless, however, an

l. One by one Tory paid them visits during the afternoons f

greeable January afternoon of thaw and cold winds. Memory Frean

his home. He still spent the greater portion of his time in the library, but he was then reading. Now he was engaged in writing a book. Naturally, unde

d Mr. Fenton. He was more interested in outside things and people. He was even attending the meetings109 in the T

allen into the habit of paying weekly v

la Mason. Above all other persons, she did not wish the Troop Captain to dream tha

t acquaintance, Mr. Philip Winslow, and received a delightful one

she would not consider the idea of becoming an artist for the next three years at least. A good education, he insisted, was the best fou

e had read in the newspaper. Apparently he must have considered it of no importance, for he had gone away from

y's and Dorothy's visit to New York in prospect. The two girls had seen her every day during their stay in town. She begged Tory to w

gulation drill, but if they wished they could go through exercises in the old drawing-room and have their Round Table in the dining-room later. She

ne a disagreeable morning at school. Her mathematics teacher, whom she never had been able to like, reprimanded

made the cake and sandwiches herself and not asked Sarah, their maid. Sarah had proposed it and knew herself to be the better cook. Tory considered her aunt'

it. The heavy chairs had to be pushed back against the walls, the cherished ornaments put in safe places. The Girl Scouts had agreed

the old drawing-room as she had upon her arrival at her mother's girlhood home, Tory had become deeply attached to it. She ad

nd help her make ready the room for their Scout meeting. I

when Dorothy McClain ope

you cannot fail to be glad you have not had to endure my society. I was waiting for Louise Miller and a

matter how much I might care for you. But Louise is so absorbed in study and growing more silent and self-contained. I know she does not approve of me or love me as she used to, and it makes me very unhappy. She insists I am wrong to continue worrying over Lance when he

down, resting her bright chestnut hair against the dark leather. She looked s

ot realize it, but they are dependent upon you as the only girl in the family, and more so than ever now that Lance

e does not think she ought to confide to you or any one of the Girl Scouts? I confess

nfidence, as Tory flew to answer a t

it wider, Louise Mill

out her light gray eyes with their curiously d

st ignor

meeting. I was to stay at home and help with some sewing for the younger children. Finally I induced her to let me bring the work here. Mother seems to feel I have no right to be a Girl Scout these days! I am growing so much more stupid and115 self-centered and uninterest

hed good

o I forgive you. Yet Dorothy believes you do not care for her as

s of affection Louise clasp

ze I have behaved strangely of late, ever since the holidays

aching. Teresa's cheeks were a deeper rose, her dusky hair less ne

ed down o

oon. Certainly I need116 something to reform my disposition

rprise Teresa. She was accustomed to their behaving in an incompreh

she had no

boarding with Joan's mother, coming toward the house. Even to Teresa's not overactive imagination it was evident tha

grieved because Evan Philips had promised to

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