“Don’t tease her any more, dear!” remonstrated Mrs. Wilkinson. “There is a reason for having it closed, Marjorie, and it is another surprise for all of you. Two more guests are waiting for you inside, but they’re of the feminine gender, as you seem to desire.” “Oh, who?” demanded all the girls at once. “What two people would you most rather have with you tonight?” asked the older woman. “Ethel Todd, for one!” cried Marjorie. “And Mrs. Remington!” put in Lily and Alice, both in the same breath. At this dramatic moment, Mr. Wilkinson threw open the door, revealing the very two people desired, smiling at the girls’ surprised expressions. The scouts all jumped up and rushed forward, and a great confusion of embracing followed. Before they had calmed down, the landlady appeared to announce supper. Following her into a private dining-room beyond the main tea-room, they found a charming table set for ten. A big bowl of purple pansies stood in the center, surrounded by candles of the same color; and at the four corners of the table there were bows of purple ribbon. The place-cards represented hand-painted scout hats, decorated with wreaths of the same troop flower. “It’s lovely! I feel just as if it were a real scout party again!” cried Marjorie, joyfully. “That’s exactly what we’ve tried to make it,” explained her father, gratified at her obvious pleasure. “And so many surprises in one day,” continued the girl, after everyone was seated. “Our riding-habits--you must see them, girls--and this party, and Ethel and Mrs. Remington--” “And flowers from John,” teased Alice. “Well, I simply couldn’t stand anything more!” concluded Marjorie. “I’d just die!” “And here I was just about to tell you about the best one of all!” interrupted her father. “But now I guess it wouldn’t be safe.” “Oh, you simply must now!” urged Marjorie. “It isn’t fair to keep us all in suspense!” “But you said you couldn’t stand any more!” “I could stand that one!” laughed Marjorie. “Well, I’m going to let Mrs. Remington tell you this one,” he said. “But wouldn’t it be better, perhaps, to have some dinner first?” The girls acquiesced, and gave their attention to the inviting fruit-cups before them. In the conversation that ensued the graduates, who had been the recipients of all the attention for the past week, were glad to retire to the background, to give Ethel Todd and Mrs. Remington the center of the stage. They talked about college, and the future of Pansy troop without its distinguished leaders. Almost every possible subject was discussed except the one in which the girls were most interested: namely, their captain’s plans for their vacation.