ETHEL IS INVITED TO VISIT
One morning in May, as the last days of Aunt Susan's visit were drawing
to a close, she said to Mrs. Hollister: "Bella, Ethel tells me that her
vacation begins next week. Now I've been thinking it over. The child
doesn't look strong. She needs country air. I don't mean your
fashionable places, but where she can live out of doors in a simple
gown, play games, and take long walks, etc. Now you've given me such a
pleasant time that I'm going to invite her to go home with me. I'll wait
for her school to close and we can start from here Saturday."
Mrs. Hollister was overjoyed. Of all things that was what she had most
desired and, too, it would save them much expense, for a summer's trip
to a fashionable hotel made a large hole in Archibald Hollister's
salary.
"Yes, indeed, Aunt Susan, she will be simply delighted to go," replied
the lady. "I'll get her ready at once."
"She'll need nothing new," called out Aunt Susan. "We're very plain
people. We live simply, and her gowns and hats will seem like visions of
Paris fashions to the girls in our town. Then I shall ask Kate to come
for a visit as well. And, by the way, Bella, come back; I wish to say
something. You know my niece Kate goes up into Camp this summer with her
girls. Now I should like Ethel to go along. It is a great movement--this
Camp Fire movement--and it will do the child lots of good, for she
strikes me as very delicate."
Mrs. Hollister gasped.
"Yes," she replied, "Kate spoke to me of it but I shouldn't care for
Ethel to join."
"Why not?" asked Aunt Susan. "It certainly is the most creditable thing
any girl can join. It's a wonderful institution. What objection can you
have?" and she looked at her niece tentatively.
Mrs. Hollister reviewed the situation as she stood there. It would not
do for her to air her objections to Aunt Susan. She was just a little
afraid of that lady and wished her to have a good opinion of her, so she
continued reluctantly: "Well, you see, Aunt Susan, it is such a
strenuous life, and Ethel is not over robust. I'm almost afraid it might
do her more harm than good."
"Nonsense, Bella," replied Aunt Susan, "that's the most shallow
objection you could advance. I should deem it a personal favor if you'll
give your consent."
Now Mrs. Hollister dared not withhold her consent, and yet she was
angry. That Ethel was at last to be entrapped into belonging to that
detestable Organization was what she had never dreamed could take place.
She was caught and trapped; there was no help. Even though she gave her
consent, after Ethel came home in the fall she could talk her out of it.
So she said with a of show amiability: "Since you desire it, Aunt Susan,
I'll consent, but I don't approve of it at all, I must admit."
"Thank you," replied Aunt Susan. "I think you'll feel differently when
you see Ethel upon her return home this fall. All of the girls in Akron
are joining. They're crazy over it."
Mrs. Hollister replied that she was open to conviction and should be
glad if Ethel derived any benefit from it.
"But what shall I buy for her to wear?" she asked.
"I will attend to her outfit," replied Aunt Susan. "It is not
expensive."