“Your brother couldn’t come, and sent a substitute,” Dick began solemnly. “Allow me to present——”
“Don’t be so crazy, Dick!” laughed Marjorie, seizing John’s hand impulsively. “The substitute’s perfectly satisfactory.”
Lily looked away contentedly; she felt that she might dismiss Marjorie from her mind for that evening. She was right, too, for before the little party had reached the country club, the girl had made her apologies, and she and John were established again in the old pleasant friendly relationship.
Marjorie could not help being amused by the reception with which she was greeted by her troop the next Saturday evening. All of the girls except Queenie appeared subdued, almost ashamed to look their captain in the face; Queenie herself presented a forced gaiety.
“We’re all here, Miss Wilkinson!” cried Queenie, meeting Marjorie and Lily at the door, and slipping her arm through that of her captain. “And we mean to work tonight—to do whatever you say!”
Under her eyelashes Marjorie perceived the sidewise, sheepish glances of the others. It was evident that they fully expected a severe reprimand.
But she had no intention of making any mention of the hike. She felt that the matter had been settled between herself and Queenie; any further reference to it would do more harm than good.
Instead she immediately introduced Lily, and said that if the others were willing, she would serve as lieutenant of the troop. As usual, the patrol leader answered for the rest, in an enthusiastic affirmative.
She went through the usual formal opening of the meeting, proceeding, after the pledge to the flag and the repetition of the scout oath and laws, to the regular business. She could hardly restrain her smile as she called for the report of the minutes of the secretary upon the hike.
“I—haven’t—any report,” stammered Stella, in embarrassment.
“Then please write one up for our next meeting,” answered the captain. “Is there any old business to come before the troop?”
There was a moment of intense silence; then Queenie’s better nature took possession of her, and she rose to her feet bravely.
“I want to apologize to the captain for my own and my patrol’s behaviour on the hike!” she blurted out. “And I’d like to have this go in the minutes.”