t they
hardly thought of the words as they repeated them; to Marjorie, however,
they were impressive, for she had not been a member of the troop so long
as the other girls.

The treasurer made her statement, and the dues were collected. As there
were no committees to report, the Captain proceeded immediately to "old
business."

"I suppose you are all eager to hear about our troop's Good Turn," she
began, "and I am very glad to be able to tell you something favorable.
But first, for the benefit of the girls who were not at camp, let me
explain that the troop met and decided to send a poor, ignorant, badly
brought-up country girl to public school in this town, and to pay her
board and buy her clothing all year. Her name is Frieda Hammer. And, as
you all know, although her mother promised to send her the day before
school opened, she did not arrive. I have since learned that she kept
her at home because the baby was sick, but intends to send her this
Saturday."

Marjorie's eyes shone. Their plan was to succeed after all! Ruth had
been mistaken; when Frieda began to develop and make progress, perhaps
Ruth would be sorry for the distrustful attitude she had taken! And
think what it would mean to Frieda--a girl of her own age! Now she would
have pretty clothes that the Scouts would buy her, live in a lovely home
in the village, where the Scouts would pay her board, and go to the
public school. She would meet nice girls, develop friendships, and have
the opportunity to study and prepare herself to make something worth
while of her life. She would be just like Cinderella--and the Scouts
would be the fairy godmother!

"But _where_ shall we get the money, Captain?" demanded Ruth. She made
no attempt to conceal her disapproval of the project; she would have
preferred to direct the troop's attention to earning money for the
following summer's outing.

"That is what we must talk about this evening," replied Miss Phillips.
"But in the meantime, we have twenty-six dollars in the treasury. Mrs.
Johnson, in the village, tells me she will board Frieda for the special
rate of six dollars a week--she's interested in her, too, and would like
to help us--so what would you all say to paying twelve dollars in
advance for board, and spending the other fourteen on some clothing?"

"Great! Splendid!" cried the girls.

"But how about our Hallowe'en party!" pouted Ruth. "Aren't we going to
have any more good times ourselves?" Then, noticin