was not fond of doing
_anything_ she was told to do. Not that Sally was disagreeable, and
it was not in her nature to argue, she simply ignored either suggestions
or commands, always pursuing her own sweet way.

This afternoon, for example, several of the girls had invited her to
walk with them to one of the French villages. Once a week they
distributed loaves of bread and a few grocery supplies to the neediest
of the peasants, those who had been unable to rebuild their huts or find
regular occupation. Sally had declined with entire frankness. She had
done her duty by making the bread for the others to give away and more
successfully than any one of the girls could have made it. She disliked
long, fatiguing walks.

Mrs. Burton had gone off alone on one of her dramatic pilgrimages.

Mary Gilchrist had again motored into Soissons and Sally would have
enjoyed accompanying her. To have driven about through the French
country with convalescent soldiers would have been extremely
entertaining. But Mary had not asked her, preferring to take Yvonne,
whom the American girls all appeared to adore.

So in consequence Sally was vexed and a little jealous.

Observing the others depart and that apparently Sally had nothing of
importance to occupy her, Miss Patricia had ordered her to come out into
the yard and help with the young chickens. They seemed to be afflicted
with some uncomfortable moulting disease.

To this invitation Sally had made no reply. She especially disliked
foolish, feathery outdoor things and had no intention of sacrificing her
well-earned leisure. The school had a semi-weekly half holiday and for
once the house was quiet.

Yet after a little more than an hour of leisure, Sally found herself
bored. Many times of late she had missed her old friendship with Gerry
Williams, since this was her first Camp Fire experience without Gerry,
who had married Felipe Morris the summer before in California.

At least Gerry occasionally had been frivolous! Certainly these were war
times and yet could one be serious forever and ever, without an
intermission? The other Camp Fire girls now and then got upon Sally's
nerves.

As she was seldom warm enough these days, covered with her steamer
blanket Sally had been curled up on the bed in her room which she shared
with her sister. First she had taken a short nap and then attempted to
read a French novel which she had discovered in the attic of the farm.
The French puzzled her