“I do wish Aunt Patricia were not so generous. It is ridiculous for me to be living in this state! Please don’t let her find out we must help Miss Temple until she is able to secure work. She would then insist upon undertaking the responsibility, besides being immensely aggrieved at our having thought of it. Her one idea is that I shall have no reason to say I must go back to work in order to help restore our fortunes. Aunt Patricia seems to object to everything in connection with the stage these days, when once upon a time she loved it dearly.” “But, Polly, Miss Temple will not accept money. I offered to lend her a small amount which she could repay when she chose, but she declared that I was a comparative stranger, and if she were forced to borrow money had best apply to some one who had known her longer and more intimately. “What I don’t understand is why you wrote me that you and Aunt Patricia were greatly in need of some one and that you were much worried over Aunt Patricia’s breaking down. I have had this in mind some time and been worried. Women are so extraordinarily inconsistent!” “Yes, and men so extraordinarily dull sometimes, my dear. I plead guilty; I did write you what you accuse me of, but that was _months_ ago when Aunt Patricia and I were living here alone. Since then, as you know, our household has changed completely. Betty is here and all the Camp Fire girls, and we even have a jewel of a cook, Elspeth. You must talk to her. Her people have lived in the Adirondacks for years and yet she still has a trace of a Scotch accent and uses Scotch words now and then.” “Very well, as I know Miss Temple and you do not, I presume I had best try to explain the situation. But I must say I am disappointed. I thought you were particularly sympathetic with young girls, Polly, after your experience as a Camp Fire guardian. As far as I know Juliet Temple is a charming girl and I see no reason why she cannot be made a member of your Sunrise Camp Fire club.” Long ago Polly O’Neill had been fairly well known among her family and friends for her quick temper, but the years and life’s discipline had taught her a measure of self-control. She flushed now and bit her lips. “Richard, you are not fair,” she said finally. “I _do_ care for girls and I _am_ sorry for this Miss Temple. But I cannot undertake to rescue every girl who is in a difficulty. And as for making her a member of our Camp Fire, I do wish you would try to understand something of the Camp Fire organization. The guardian does not select the members of a Camp Fire club. She may suggest a girl, but the choice really rests with the other girls. I should never think of asking my group of girls to include any one who is a stranger and might be wholly uncongenial. Besides, there are certain tests before any girl can join the Camp Fire. How old is this Juliet Temple?”