ward making
our summers together happy and satisfying. Yet one of my chief reasons
for living outdoors is to have a complete rest from my work and to get
away from the whole thought of it as much as possible. I have given all
the money to war causes I can afford at present. Later I shall do more,
of course----"

"That is just the point," Peggy interrupted. "If people out here in
California learn you are to appear in an outdoor performance, they will
positively flock to see you. You know you could earn a lot of money for
the Recreation Fund, besides we all think it would be great fun to act
with you and have already selected the play that would be the most
interesting to produce."

"Really, Peggy, I think you have gone somewhat too far," Mrs. Burton
answered, although with a slightly dazed expression. "I don't believe I
have ever had a theatrical manager who made every arrangement, even to
selecting the play in which I was to appear, without consulting me. The
whole thing is preposterous. Mollie, I really cannot understand your
allowing the girls to become so absorbed in such a nonsensical project!
I think you might have spared me the difficulty of refusing."

"But you don't appear to be having any difficulty in refusing, Polly,"
Mrs. Webster answered with her usual placidity. Nevertheless, she
realized how greatly this same placidity annoyed her beloved twin
sister in moments of agitation. "Yet I am sorry that I agreed to permit
the girls to broach the subject to you, since the idea seems to trouble
you so much. Personally I am afraid I also found the idea charming. You
have not acted for a long time and many of your friends are giving
theatrical benefits for the Red Cross or some war need. The girls
thought they would like to present 'As You Like It,' with you as
_Rosalind_; you know you have played _Rosalind_ dozens of times before.
The open-air theater would make an exquisite Forest of Arden. Besides, I
am sure our present group of Camp Fire girls could not act, so poorly as
you used to, now and then, in private theatricals in the old days. You
know, my dear, none of us imagined then that you were to turn out a
genius."

Mrs. Burton flushed. "No one imagines it now, Mollie." She answered with
obvious irritability. Then her manner became more apologetic:

"You girls are not angry with me for refusing?"

Wisely Peggy shook her head, "No, we are only disappointed."

Then everybody in the little company remained