t same farmer knew the value of the specimen he
would leave all else to chase the gauzy flutterer."

When it came time for the visitor to say good-night, he said, "Oh, I
forgot all about the very object of my visit!"

"It must have been awfully important," laughed Julie.

"Well, _we_ think it is," chuckled Mr. Gilroy. "The boys of Grey Fox
Camp sent me to invite you to have dinner with them to-morrow, if it is
clear."

"Why, Mr. Gilroy!" exclaimed Julie, scarcely believing her idol could
forget such an important matter.

Every one laughed at his guilty look, and Judith teasingly said, "We
ought to call him 'The Man Who Lost His Memory,' for that!"

"All fooling aside, scouts, I have a suggestion to make on that very
remark. I've wanted to mention it before, but always there was some
exciting or important matter that could not be interrupted. Now I wish
you girls would stop 'mistering' me! I am such an old friend by this
time, I should think I could be to you as much as the Captain is. She is
'Verny' instead of 'Mrs. Vernon.'"

Julie was ready with an answer before he had quite finished his
complaint. "Oh, we would love to give you a pet name, Gilly, because you
do mean as much to us as our best friends anywhere. By taking a few
letters away from your proper name and adding a little 'nick' to the
syllable, we have one ready-made."

"Fine! 'Gilly' it shall be henceforth!" laughed Mr. Gilroy.

"But it is so disrespectful, I think," remonstrated Mrs. Vernon.
"Couldn't we find some other affectionate term that will do without
impressing strangers with our lack of courtesy to our friend?"

"Why do you object to 'Gilly?'" asked Mr. Gilroy, quizzically.

"I can't really find any tangible excuse, except that it makes me think
of gilly-flowers, you know," laughed Mrs. Vernon.

Every one joined in the laughter, but Mr. Gilroy said seriously, "Well,
I am not old enough to be 'Granny' to the girls and I dare not request
to be called 'Daddy' by them, or their rightful parents will call me out
to fight a duel, so do let us leave it 'Gilly.' The boys of Grey Fox
always wanted to use a friendlier name than a 'Mr.' but they never came
to it. Now we will begin the habit."

Before Mr. Gilroy left the camp, the name was established.

They were to meet at Mr. Gilroy's bungalow early in the morning, so he
could start them on the right trail. He was going over in the car with
supplies for the boys, but the hikers preferred the