“And did you catch Marjorie?” asked Alice, laughingly. “No,” replied Kirk. “It takes someone as clever as Clayton to catch her. Not that I really wanted to,” he yawned, “but I did enjoy the chase.” These last words sent Irene to bed a happier girl. CHAPTER X. THE SCOUT MEETING. The days that followed were packed full of interesting activities. Long rides over the mountains, swimming, camp fires and restful evenings in the big cabin with the other members of the ranch family. The girls felt perfectly at home; even Daisy put aside her worries and entered into the full enjoyment like the rest. After the day of the canoe picnic, Kirk Smith had not paid the slightest attention to Marjorie, or in fact to any of the girls, in spite of Irene Judson’s repeated efforts to draw his interest to herself. He was quiet, almost sullen, again, and rarely spoke unless he was directly addressed. It seemed to be his greatest desire to be left alone. None of the scouts, however, paid much attention to him, except now and then to wonder what sort of person he really was. Marjorie had so many other things to think about that she was glad that he had not continued to seek her company, as he had done for the canoe trip. The arrival of the mail twice a week was always an occasion for excitement among the scouts, as well as among the other members of the party. Marjorie always was fortunate enough to receive two or three letters; but thus far she had heard nothing from John Hadley, and she had been away over two weeks now. That afternoon’s mail brought her two letters, one from Griffith Hunter, inviting her to a dance early in September, and the other from Mrs. Remington, asking all about the scouts. What had they done thus far? Did they wear their uniforms often? Had they kept to their regular meeting-night? What new merit-badges would they be eligible for when they came back? Marjorie read these questions with an increasing sense of shame. How could she write to the captain and tell her that the scouts had done nothing, had not even had one meeting since their arrival? The only time they had attempted anything was the occasion on the train, when Walter Brooks had tried to play a joke on them. And what a farce that had been! Thinking over it all, Marjorie was overcome with remorse when she realized that the troop had been more inactive during these two weeks since she had been lieutenant, than it had ever been before. She could not write this to Mrs. Remington; no, she must plan and act immediately. So she decided to stay home from the ride that afternoon to prepare for a meeting. While the girls were dressing she told them of her intention. “Please set aside Friday evening for scouts,” she said, as she dived into the bottom of her trunk for her scout book. “And I want the whole evening, too.” “But what can we do with a whole evening?” asked Mae, who hated to sacrifice bridge, even for one time.