always seemed not only to be interested in Polly but able to understand
her disposition peculiarly well. So it was stupid for her two friends
to have taken her foolish exclamation as meaning anything personal.

The next ten minutes Betty and Meg had rather a difficult time in
making peace; for Mollie had not a strong sense of humor--a fact which
both girls should have remembered. But because she was always so
gentle and kind herself, no one of her friends could bear the idea of
hurting her feelings under any circumstances.

However while Betty was in the midst of apologizing, Billy Webster
himself came swinging along the same path from the opposite direction.
He had his gun over his shoulder and half a dozen birds in his hand.

"Who is it taking my name in vain?" he demanded of Betty.

And Mollie had a dreadful moment of fearing that Betty might betray
what they had been talking about. However, as nothing of the kind
happened, ten minutes later Meg and Betty were walking ahead deep in
conversation about the party, while Mollie and Billy strolled after
them only a few feet behind.

The young man had been on his way into Woodford to divide the product
of his day's hunting between Mrs. Ashton and Mrs. O'Neill. Now,
hearing that the girls were on a pilgrimage to Sunrise Cabin, he had
been invited to accompany them.

"No, it won't be like a meeting of our Camp Fire Club, Meg," Betty
argued thoughtfully, after having satisfied herself by a glance over
her shoulder that Mollie and Billy were too absorbed in each other to
take any notice of them. "I have been coming to our Camp Fire Club
meetings all winter and because I am in mourning made no difference.
But with John inviting his friends to your entertainment, why, I can't
make up my mind yet, dear, whether I have the courage to come."

Betty spoke bravely, but Meg slipped her arm across her friend's
shoulder, holding her fast. The two girls were closer friends now that
Polly and Esther were both away and Meg understood that sometimes Betty
did not feel so cheerful as she pretended.

"John won't ask more than just one other fellow to keep him company, if
we can have you with us in no other way," Meg conceded. "You see,
Betty, John is only to be at home for a few days. As this is his
senior year at college he wants to so some special work during the
holidays. But he likes you so much better than any of the other girls
in Woodford, that I am quite sure----"