In
reality Esther Clark was thinking only of Betty and the news that Dick
Ashton had just told her. Mr. Ashton, his father, had been taken ill in
Italy and, though there was no immediate danger, might never be well
again. For the present it was thought best that he remain indefinitely
in Europe, so the family had not decided whether or not to tell the
facts to Betty. She could do no good; even Dick was not going to him,
and it was always best to keep every possible sorrow from Betty. But
really, because Dick Ashton could not make up his mind just what was the
wisest course, he confided his secret to Esther, asking her to think
matters over and write him her judgment. You see there was no question
of Esther's unusual devotion to Betty and readiness to sacrifice
everything for her, though there seemed to be no reason, and surely
Betty was entirely careless of it.
Before the twilight of the long afternoon had entirely faded into night,
every Camp Fire girl, including Nan Graham, who was not a member, had
vanished into bed. The child was too tired to be sent home to-night and
word would be taken to her parents by one of the boys. Miss McMurtry
herself was asleep as soon as her girls. And indeed Polly entirely
forgot that Betty had suggested she put the question of Nan's remaining
in camp with them to her again during the evening.
Pages:
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154