y looked at Miss Eleanor, then she choked, and left the porch
hurriedly. And the next moment roars of laughter came from the other
girls, as Margery told them the story.

"But I'm glad you've told me all about it, Dolly," said Eleanor. "I
don't mind saying that I think you had a good deal of excuse--but do
try to let things work out by themselves after this. The chances are
you've only made them hate us more than ever, and they will feel that
it's a point of honor now to get even with us for this. All the girls
will have to suffer for what you did."

Even as she spoke, Bessie saw two or three figures approaching from the
direction of the other camp, and a shrill voice was raised.

"There she is, Miss Brown. She's the one who's supposed to look after
them."

Gladys Cooper was the speaker, but as soon as she saw Eleanor look
around she dropped back, leaving a woman whose manner was timid and
nervous, and whose voice showed that she had little spirit, to advance
alone.

"Miss Mercer?" she said, inquiringly, to Eleanor. "I am Miss Brown,
and I have been left in charge of Miss Halsted's Camp this summer while
she is away. She is ill. I am one of the teachers in her school--"

"Sit down, Miss Brown," said Eleanor, kindly. One look at poor Miss
Brown explained the conduct of the girls in her care. She was one of
those timid, nervous women who can never be expected to control anyone,
much less a group of healthy, mischievous girls in need of a strong,
restraining hand.

"I'm--really very sorry--I don't like--but I feel it is my duty--to
speak to you, Miss Mercer," stammered Miss Brown. "The fact is--the
young ladies seem to think it was one of your Camp Fire Girls who let
loose a--number of mice in our boathouse this evening."

"I'm afraid it was, Miss Brown," said Eleanor, gravely. "And I need
hardly say that I regret it. I naturally do not approve of anything of
the sort. But your girls have themselves to blame to a certain extent."

"Why, I don't see how that can be!" said Miss Brown, looking bewildered.

"Now, Miss Brown, honestly, and just between us, haven't they made your
life a burden for you ever since you've been here with them alone? Let
me tell you what they've done since we've been here."

And calmly and without anger, Eleanor told the teacher of the various
methods of making themselves unpleasant that the girls in the camp had
adopted since the coming of the Camp Fire Girls. She raised