For the Sake of the School | Page 9

behaving itself!" said Mary Acton, who,
with a few other members of the Lower Fifth, was sitting on the trunk
of a fallen oak. "Do you remember last council? It simply poured. The
thing's no fun if one can't have a real fire."
"It'll burn first-rate to-night," returned Lizzie Lonsdale. "There's a little
wind, and the wood'll be dry."
"That reminds me I haven't found my faggot yet," said Beth Broadway
easily.
"Girl alive! Then you'd better go and look for one, or you'll be all in a
scramble at the last!"
"Bother! I'm too comfy to move."

"Nice Wood-gatherer you'll look if you come empty-handed!"
"I'd appropriate half your lot first, Lizzikins!"
"Would you, indeed? I'd denounce you, and you'd lose your rank and
be degraded to a candidate again."
"Oh, you mean, stingy miser!"
"Not at all. It's the wise and foolish virgins over again. I shan't have
enough for myself and you. I've a lovely little stack--just enough for
one--reposing--no, I'd better not tell you where. Don't look so hopeful.
You're not to be trusted."
"What are you talking about?" asked Rona Mitchell, who had wandered
up to the group. "Why are some of you picking up sticks? I saw a girl
over there with quite a bundle just now. You might tell me."
So far Rona had not been well received in her own form, IV B. She was
older than her class-mates, and they, instead of attempting to initiate
her into the ways of the Woodlands girls on this holiday afternoon, had
scuttled off and left her to fend for herself. She looked such an odd,
wistful, lonely figure that Lizzie Lonsdale's kind heart smote her. She
pushed the other girls farther along the tree-trunk till they made a
grudging space for the new-comer.
"I'm a good hand at camp-fires, if you want any help," continued Rona,
seating herself with alacrity. "I've made 'em by the dozen at home, and
cooked by them too. Just let me know where you want it, and I'll set to
work."
"You wouldn't be allowed," said Beth bluntly. "This fire is a very
special thing. Only Wood-gatherers may bring the fuel. No one else is
eligible."
"Why on earth not?"
"Oh, I can't bother to explain now! It would take too long. You'll find

out to-night. Girls, I'm going in!"
"Turn up here at dusk if you want to know, and bring a cup with you,"
suggested Lizzie, with a half-ashamed effort at friendliness, as she
followed her chums.
"You bet I'll turn up! Rather!"
That evening, just after sunset, little groups of girls began to collect
round an open green space in the glade. They came quietly and with a
certain sense of discipline. A stranger would have noticed that if any
loud tone or undue hilarity made itself heard, it was instantly and
firmly repressed by one or two who seemed in authority. That the
meeting was more in the nature of a convention than a mere
pleasure-gathering was evident both from the demeanour of the
assemblage and from the various badges pinned on the girls' coats. No
teacher was present, but there was an air of general expectancy, as if
the coming of somebody were awaited. To the pupils at The
Woodlands this night's ceremony was a very special occasion, for it
was the autumn reunion of the Camp-fire League, an organization
which, originally of American birth, had been introduced at the
instigation of Miss Teddington, and had taken great root in the school.
Any girl was eligible as a candidate, but before she could gain
admission to even the initial rank she had to prove herself worthy of the
honour of membership, and pass successfully through her novitiate.
The organizer and leader of the branch which to-night was to celebrate
its third anniversary was a certain Mrs. Arnold, a charming young
American lady who lived in the neighbourhood. She had been an
enthusiastic supporter of the League in Pennsylvania before her
marriage, and was delighted to pass on its traditions to British
schoolgirls. Her winsome personality made her a prime favourite at The
Woodlands, where her influence was stronger even than she imagined.
Miss Teddington, though it was she who had asked Mrs. Arnold to
institute and take charge of the meetings, had the discretion to keep out
of the League herself, realizing that the presence of teachers might be a
restraint, and that the management was better left in the hands of a
trustworthy outsider.

To become an authorized Camp-fire member was an ambition with
most of the girls, and spurred many on to greater efforts than they
would otherwise have attempted. All looked forward to the meetings,
and there could be no greater punishment for certain offences than a
temporary withdrawal of League privileges.
This September,