our activities should take. Moreover, whatever plan
presented itself to us was first to be submitted to an officer at camp
to find out if the plan met with military approval. Camp Fire girls,
however clever, are scarcely the proper persons to decide upon the ways
and means for providing entertainment for our American soldiers,
valuable as their aid may be in the entertainment itself. But there,
forgive me, I do not intend being disagreeable, and I have no doubt you
have thought up some thrilling scheme! Only why not wait until our
little dinner party and dance for the soldiers tomorrow evening is over
before we precipitate ourselves into a fresh undertaking?"

"Oh, our party is just a _small_ matter compared to the plan we have
been working out this afternoon," Peggy continued, refusing to be
snubbed or argued into silence. "Our idea is that if we are to become a
branch of the War Recreation Fund Committee we must raise money for the
organization. We wish to give a play and present to the fund whatever
money we make."

Mrs. Burton shook her head. "Give a play out here in this
semi-wilderness? Well, the idea is agreeable enough if you wish to amuse
yourselves, but how you expect to make money or secure an audience is
beyond my imagination! However, if you have set your hearts upon the
scheme and think it would amuse you, do as you like. I only ask to be
left out altogether. Remember, I am resting from a histrionic career."

Mrs. Burton made a movement as if she contemplated leaving, but Peggy
resolutely held her in her place.

"We _do_ expect you to help; more, we expect you to be almost the entire
thing!" Bettina interrupted with more vigor than clearness. "We are not
contemplating a silly little amateur performance here at camp; we have
more important things to interest us. We wish to give a real play at
that exquisite open-air theater near the seaside resort that we saw the
other day on our drive. Ever since then Marta and Peggy and I have been
dreaming of little else and talking of little else to the other girls
until now they are as enthusiastic as we are. It was Marta Clark who
actually put our present scheme into our minds, and she merely spoke of
how much she would enjoy seeing you act outdoors in so lovely a place."

"I am sure Marta is very kind," Mrs. Burton answered, but without
revealing a profound appreciation of the compliment. "But don't be
foolish, please. You know I try to do whatever is possible to