had substantial
results to report. "We've taken Dorfield by storm!" was their exultant
cry.

"Altogether," said Mary Louise, figuring up the amounts, "we've sold
thirty-two thousand dollars' worth of bonds this morning. That's
encouraging for three hours' work, but it's not enough to satisfy us.
We must put in a busy afternoon and try to get a total of at least one
hundred thousand by to-night. To-morrow we must do better than that.
Work as late as you can, girls, and at eight o'clock we will meet again
at Alora's house and compare results."

The girls needed no urging to resume their work, for already they had
gained confidence in their ability and were inspired to renewed effort.

Mary Louise had optimistic plans for that afternoon's work. She first
visited the big flour mill, where she secured an interview with Mr.
Chisholme, the president and general manager.

"We can't buy bonds," he said peevishly. "Our business is being ruined
by the high price of wheat and the absurd activities of Hoover. We
stand to operate at a loss or else shut down altogether. The government
ought to pay us compensation, instead of asking us to contribute to the
war."

"However, if we fail to win the war," Mary Louise quietly replied,
"your enormous investment here will become worthless. Isn't it better
to lose a little now, for the sake of future winnings, than to
sacrifice the past and future and be reduced to poverty? We are asking
you to save yourself from threatened danger--the national calamity that
would follow our defeat in this war."

He sat back in his chair and looked at the girl in amazement. She was
rather young to have conceived such ideas.

"Well, there's time enough to consider all that," he said, less
gruffly. "You'll have to excuse me now, Miss Burrows. I'm busy."

But Mary Louise kept her seat and redoubled her arguments, which were
logical and straight to the point. Mr. Chisholme's attitude might have
embarrassed her had she been pleading a personal favor, but she felt
she was the mouthpiece of the President, of the Nation, of worldwide
democracy, and would not allow herself to feel annoyed. She devoted
three-quarters of an hour to Mr. Chisholme, who gradually thawed in her
genial sunshine. She finally sold him fifty thousand dollars worth of
Liberty Bonds and went on her way elated. The regular Bond Committee
had labored for weeks with this stubborn man, who managed one of the
largest enterprises in Dorfield, y