arded. They had songs and toasts, one of which was
"Aunt Susan," after which the girls repeated in unison:

"Burn, fire, burn; flicker, flicker, flame, etc."

Then, extinguishing the fire, they retired for the night.

The next morning the Camp broke up. Ethel bade them all an affectionate
farewell. She even kissed Honora. There seemed to be a spirit of good
will among all of the girls.

"Be sure and come back next summer, Ethel," was heard on every side.

And Mattie, taking her apart from the rest, said:

"You have saved me from a fate worse than death. I was going the
downward path, and you and Patty lifted me out of the mud. I shall pray
for you every night. Don't forget me."

"No, I shall not," replied Ethel, kissing her affectionately, "and you
promise to go and see little Mollie and write me all about her, won't
you?"

CHAPTER XXXI

BACK TO AUNT SUSAN'S

After spending the night at Uncle John's, Aunt Susan and Ethel left for
Akron.

"Oh! what a lovely summer I've had," said Ethel, "and how much I've
learned being a Camp Fire Girl; and I owe it all to you, Aunt Susan."

The next week Mr. Hollister came to take the girl home--and how he had
missed her!

They spent the day with Uncle John. He and her father were like boys
again.

"You must come here next year, Archibald," said John, "and go up to Camp
and see the way these girls keep house. It's a revelation. What the
women are coming to! I don't believe there'll be any room on earth for
us men after a while."

Ethel's eyes were blinded with tears as she kissed her dear ones
goodbye, and Mattie Hastings with Patty Sands came way to Akron to see
her off, Mattie bringing the loveliest pin-cushion made for her by her
sister Mollie.

One night Ethel and Mrs. Hollister had a serious talk. Grandmother made
Archibald go and listen at the door, as Bella's voice could be heard
throughout the house.

When Ethel left her mother she went directly up to her room, but Mrs.
Hollister said to Grandmother:

"This is your work and your sister's as well. Ethel is a changed
girl and refused to obey me. She's going to take up low settlement
work and belong to that Camp Fire business this winter, and she
almost refuses to go into society at all. But for the fact that
some of our best girls are Camp Fires I should positively forbid
it. She is not yet of age, and I still have some authority over
her, after all my slaving for her and sacrifices. Now she openly