"WHAT SHALL WE WEAR?"
Mrs. Anderson's interest in the girls had not abated in the least
because of her marriage. She had watched with pride the work they had
done as members of the Red Cross Group.
One morning each of the former Campfire Girls received an invitation
to dinner at the Anderson home. Formal dinner invitations did not come
often to the girls; they were not old enough as yet. You may be sure
that it left them an excited, eager lot. The very next morning Aunt
Madge received eight very formal acceptances.
She smiled for she realized that the girls were very much flattered by
the dignity of the invitation. She had purposely made it so for that
very reason.
Thursday morning, the day of the party, found two girls greatly
excited, on their way to school.
"I haven't a thing to wear," said Letty, with true feminine
consistency.
"Nonsense," replied Mary Lee. "You surely can wear your pale blue
voile. It goes so well with your pretty new hat. But as for myself, I
haven't a fit dress for a formal dinner party."
Now, Mary Lee had purchased, with the aid of Letty and Mrs. Saunders,
two or three simple gowns, but as this dinner was to be formal, she
was afraid none of her dresses would do for the occasion.
"Silly," replied Letty, "if I had that love of a Georgette crepe I
wouldn't worry a minute."
"I guess," remarked Mary Lee with great truth, "we never have the
thing that is altogether satisfactory, it is always something we'd
like to have."
School was but a half day. It was so near the end of the term that an
unusual amount of free time was permitted. The Campfire girls were
glad to have this leisure. They actually thought they needed it for
getting ready.
As a matter of fact, none of them really started to dress until five
o'clock.
At six-thirty Letty and Mary Lee arrived. Mrs. Anderson was in formal
evening dress as was Dr. Anderson.
"I'm sure there are going to be older folks at the dinner," Ruth, who
had already arrived, whispered to Letty. "Look," and when the host and
hostess were engaged elsewhere she pointed to the formality of their
attire.
"I don't think so," replied Mary Lee, who had overheard. "It's going
to be our party only and they are treating us as grown-ups, that is
all."
And so it proved.
The girls arrived promptly. The dinner was one of many courses. When
it was over, Dr. Anderson arose and said:
"I don't know just where I fit in. I guess I'm just a husband; but
Mrs. Anderson thought I should tell you that we're very proud of our
Campfire Girls and the unselfish work they have done; and since your
work was the equal of work done by people who are grown-up, we
thought the most fitting occasion would be a very formal dinner. It is
on such occasions that older folks usually tell each other how clever
and good they are.
"But seriously, girls, your unselfish work in this great cause is what
makes one happy in belonging to such a country. When the time comes,
all of us, young and old, will give the best that is in us for our
country. Pretty soon my time will come, and I shall not fail to answer
the call. But when I go, it will not be I who will do the worth-while
thing--it will be my wife, who will see me go, smilingly and bravely,
because it's the thing I must do.
"It is you girls and you women, you see, who more and more are doing
the big thing in a war like this."
Dr. Anderson continued: "I've been very fortunate in knowing you young
ladies and learning of your noble work. I can readily understand why
my wife thinks so much of you. And, of course," Dr. Anderson's eyes
twinkled, "I can understand why you all think so much of her."
The girls laughed as Dr. Anderson sat down.
"One of the reasons," said Aunt Madge, "I invited you tonight was to
extend another invitation. We are leaving for Mount Hope over
Decoration Day. All of you girls deserve a rest and I think it can be
arranged for you to go with us. You can leave Wednesday and come back
Saturday."
The girls applauded enthusiastically.
"Good," said Letty.
"Won't it be heavenly?" said Ruth, equally enthusiastic.
"It will be different from our Thanksgiving party, for at least it is
spring--and I love spring," said Grace Olcott.
"You're the one that loved winter, too," said Clara.
"Well, I did," replied Grace, not a whit abashed, "I like them all as
they come."
"If we have half as good a time," said Irma, "I'll be satisfied."
Letty and Mary Lee said nothing. The memory of that Thanksgiving party
when Letty had tried to make trouble for Mary Lee was not a pleasant
one for Letty. Mary Lee also thought of it. She looked at Letty into
whose eyes tears began to well.
"It's all right," whispered Mary Lee, as she put her hand over
Letty's, but in a way that the other people could not see. "We're good
friends now. Let's forget all of that."
Letty forced back her tears and gave her friend's hand a loving pat.
"Of course," said Aunt Madge, "you will have to receive the necessary
permission both at school and at home. I hope you will be successful."
"Now, girls," Mrs. Anderson continued, "let's make no plans for our
party and instead talk of what we can do in the way of making folks
buy more Liberty Bonds. You see, we want to sell more among the people
who would buy but a few shares."
The conversation turned to how the Red Cross Girls could further help.
Many suggestions were made and discussed.
"I want to tell you," said Mary Lee, "that the Red Cross Committee
intends to go out for more money as soon as the sale of the Liberty
Bonds closes."
"Do you think we should wait and do our work for the Red Cross?" asked
Edith.
"I realize, of course, how well you girls have already done. Miss
James has given me the amount of subscriptions that the Red Cross
Girls have been able to obtain. It's truly wonderful. Perhaps we might
turn our efforts toward the Red Cross collections," said Aunt Madge.
"Suppose," Mary Lee suggested, "that we only accept Aunt Madge's
invitation on condition that we get $16,000 worth of Liberty Bonds
sold. That means each of us must sell $2,000 worth."
"Good idea, Mary Lee," Dr. Anderson cried enthusiastically.
"We'll do it," said the rest of the girls.
A little later the girls departed. It was a most enjoyable party, they
all agreed.