Girl Scouts that her manner had created.

At one time, and only a few months before, Kara had been everything to
her, sister and nurse and friend. A few months of wealth and she
seemed completely spoiled.

"You have many friends, Kara, but if there is anything Mr. Hammond and
I could possibly do for you, you have only to let us know," Mrs.
Hammond suggested at this moment, not very tactfully.

"You are very kind, but there is nothing to be done," Kara returned
coldly.

Apparently she had lost all interest in her guests, now that Lucy had
so utterly forgotten the old days at the Gray House on the hill. She
always had been an odd little creature, passionate, self willed and
self seeking. Still, Kara had never doubted her affection.

Not yet eight o'clock and Kara not expected to retire until nine,
nevertheless Tory looked about the room in search of Miss Mason. Kara
was being wearied. Better the room full of people be asked to go
outdoors. They could talk on in the deepening dusk.

At the open door Sheila Mason was talking to Miss Frean and Mr.
Richard Fenton. At the moment she was not thinking of Kara and the
three other visitors.

Trying to make up her mind to speak to Mr. and Mrs. Hammond herself,
Tory saw that Mr. Hammond suddenly appeared restless and at the same
time absorbed in thought.

"See here, Miss Kara, I wonder if you would like me to tell you
something? I am not perfectly sure and perhaps have not the right to
speak. Yet after all I am pretty well convinced that I am not making a
mistake and you cannot fail to be interested. You need things to
interest you these days, don't you?"

Mr. Hammond spoke abruptly. Tory considered that his manner was kinder
and he showed more interest in Kara than upon the day when he had come
to the old Gray House to seek the little girl he had rescued years
before. Then he had been fascinated by Lucy and Kara had been
disregarded.

Kara looked up now with slightly more animation.

"Yes, I do need something to interest me these days, Mr. Hammond. I am
afraid you will find me pretty difficult. Only a few weeks ago I cared
so intensely for our summer camp in Beechwood Forest and every one of
our Girl Scout occupations that nothing else appeared of the slightest
importance. Now when everyone is so good to me I don't seem interested
in anything. There are so many Scout subjects I could study when I
have so much time and I don't care to take the trouble. I really am
s