"You need not feel so bad, girls," he said. "If it had not been for you that poor little fellow wouldn't have thought of giving his crutches." "I wish he had some though," remarked Jeanne wistfully. "Make your mind easy on that score, my dear, I'm going to look after that boy." "And meantime you girls can go with me to the Association to carry the money and the crutches, and we'll tell the ladies all about it," said Mrs. Vance. CHAPTER II A GREAT UNDERTAKING For a time affairs went on in their usual way, and the girls contented themselves with hemming towels and handkerchiefs and making socks. That is, all the girls save Jeanne Vance. With her the desire was stronger than ever to do something more than she had done. "What makes you so thoughtful, Jeanne?" asked her father one evening looking up from his paper. "You are as still as a mouse. Come, and tell me all about it." "It's the country," said Jeanne settling herself comfortably on his lap and laying her head on his shoulder. "I was thinking about our army and how much there was to be done for it." "I am afraid that you think too much about the war," observed her father soberly. "It is not good for you." "I can't help it, father. Dick's letters make me, and the work that you and mother do keeps it always before me. I am the only one who doesn't do much." "I am sure that you carried that fair through admirably, and have made a number of articles for the soldiers. Best of all you are looking after yourself so well that your mother and I can devote our whole time to the cause. And that is a great deal, my little girl." "But I should like to do something else," persisted Jeanne. "It doesn't seem as if I were helping one bit." "Very few of us can see the result of our labors. If you were in the army it would be the same way. A soldier often has to obey orders for which he can see no reason, but his disobedience might cause the loss of a battle. We are all of us part of a great whole striving for the same end. If each one does his part all will be well. If every little girl in the country would do as much as you are doing, the amount of work accomplished would be startling." "If I were a boy I could do more," sighed Jeanne. "It is very hard to be 'only a girl,' father." Mr. Vance laughed. "But since you are one, Jeanne, try to be contented. I am very thankful for my daughter if she is 'only a girl.'" "You are troubled too," observed Jeanne presently, noting a look of anxiety on her father's face. "Yes, child; I am." "Could you tell me about it, father? Perhaps it would help you. I feel ever so much better since I have talked with you." "I am afraid that you cannot help me, child. If only Dick were here," and he sighed. "Could I if I were a boy?" asked the girl, wistfully.