been near a store for weeks!" suggested another.

"All right," said Eleanor. "Everyone can do exactly what she likes
between the time we finish clearing up after lunch and dinner. I think
we'll have the same rule we did at Long Lake--four girls attend to the
camp work each day, while the other eight do as they like. You can draw
lots or arrange it among yourselves, I don't care."

"Yes, that's a fine arrangement," said Dolly. "It's a little harder for
the four who work than it would be if we all pitched in, but no one
really has to work any harder, for all that."

"It's even in the long run," said Eleanor. "And it gives some of you a
chance to do things that call for a whole afternoon. All agreed to that,
are you?"

It was Eleanor's habit, whenever possible, to submit such minor details
of camp life to a vote of the girls. Her authority, of course, was
complete. If she gave an order, it had to be obeyed, and she had the
right, if she decided it was best, to send any or all of the girls home.
But--and many guardians find it a good plan--she preferred to give the
girls a good deal of latitude and real independence.

One result was that, whenever she did give a positive order, it was
obeyed unquestioningly. The girls knew by experience that usually she
was content to suggest things, and even agree to methods that she
herself would not have chosen, and, as they were not accustomed to
receiving positive orders on all sorts of subjects, they understood
without being told that there was a good reason for those that were
issued. Another result, of course, and the most important, was that the
girls, growing used to governing themselves, grew more self-reliant, and
better fitted to cope with emergencies.

The girls were still washing the breakfast dishes when Marcia Bates
walked along the beach and was greeted with a merry hail by Dolly and
the others.

"I'm here as an ambassador or something like that," she announced. "That
little sloop out there is yours, isn't she?"

"Well, we'll have ours here as soon as it's towed over from Bay City.
And we want to challenge you to a regular yacht race. I asked Miss
Turner if we might, and she said yes."

"I think that would be fine sport," said Eleanor. "Dolly Ransom is
skipper of our sloop. Suppose you talk it over with her."

"I think it would be fine, Marcia!" said Dolly, with shining eyes. "I
was just wishing for a race this morning. When shall we have it?"

"Why not this