"Ain't it locked?" asked Frieda in astonishment.

"No, everybody here is honest. And people from outside the school don't
know about it."

They drifted on, Marjorie glancing now and then at her companion, who
sat back lazily--in fact, almost contentedly--watching the sky and the
water, and listening to the rhythmic dip of the paddle. A wave of great
happiness surged over Marjorie; she felt that she had progressed farther
than she would have dreamed possible, after the previous day's
experience.

"Frieda, will you come to our Japanese party on Friday evening, if I
give you a ticket?" asked Marjorie, as she left the girl at Mrs.
Johnson's.

"Maybe. What's it going to be like?"

Marjorie explained the plans, but she saw that they conveyed little
meaning to the country girl. Nevertheless, she resolved to send her a
ticket.

It happened that Friday night, which was the last of September, was
clear and mild; the stars twinkled brightly over the pretty scene at the
edge of the lake. Japanese lanterns were strung all about the trees, and
the tables, containing refreshments, were decorated with gay autumn
flowers. Robed in Japanese kimonas, with long, Oriental pins in their
hair, the girls flitted about from place to place, welcoming their
guests and serving the dainty food. Out on the lake, where Marjorie was
drifting in her canoe, a victrola was playing soft music.

"The boat reminds one of Venice," observed Miss Allen, who was one of
the first to arrive. "I believe I'd enjoy a ride!"

Lily, to whom the remark was directed, whistled softly to her room-mate.
Instantly, the girl turned around, and made for the shore.

"Venice or Japan, whichever you like, Miss Allen," laughed Lily, "just
so long as we make the money--for the cause is a good one, you know."

Teachers, girls from the school, people from the village,--a larger
crowd than the Scouts had dared to hope for--continued to arrive.
Charmed by the novel idea, they bought lavishly; and few escaped without
first visiting the fortune-telling booth presided over by Miss Phillips,
or taking a ride in one of the row-boats, or in Marjorie's canoe.

All the while, however, Marjorie watched anxiously for the appearance of
Frieda. Would the girl disappoint her? Marjorie had been so busy during
the week that she had not been able to go to see her, but Mrs. Johnson
had told Miss Phillips that Frieda had gone regularly to school, and
that her teacher reported progress.