“Quite right,” said Patsy, nodding energetically.

“But our friend made little headway because the sympathies of the people were not with him.”

“Why not, sir?” inquired Beth, while Kenneth sat inwardly groaning at this baring of his terrible experiences.

“Because through custom they had come to tolerate such things, and could see no harm in them,” replied the lawyer.  “They permit their buildings which face the roads to be covered with big advertisements, and the fences are decorated in the same way.  In some places a sign-board has been built in their yards or fields, advertising medicines or groceries or tobacco.  In other words, our country roads and country homes have become mere advertising mediums to proclaim the goods of more or less unscrupulous manufacturers, and so all their attractiveness is destroyed.  Kenneth, being a man of artistic instincts and loving country scenes, resented this invasion of commercialism and tried to fight it.”

“And so ran my head against a stone wall,” added the young man, with a bitter laugh.

“But you were quite right,” said Patsy, decidedly.  “Such things ought not to be permitted.”

“The people think differently,” he replied.

“Then we must educate the people to a different way of thinking,” announced Louise.

“In three weeks?”

“That is long enough, if we get to work.  Isn’t it, girls?” said Beth.

“Kenneth accepted the nomination with the idea of having a law passed prohibiting such signs,” explained the lawyer.  “But Mr. Hopkins, his opponent, has used this very thing to arouse public sentiment against him.  Farmers around here are thrifty people, and they fear to lose the trifling sums paid them for the privilege of painting signs on their premises.”

Patsy nodded gravely.

“We will change all that,” she said.  “The thing is really more serious than we expected, and more difficult.  But we came here to work and win, and we’re going to do it.  Aren’t we, Uncle John?”

“I’ll bet on your trio, Patsy,” replied her uncle.  “But I won’t bet all I’m worth.”

“It’s all foolishness,” declared Kenneth.

“I do not think so,” said the lawyer, gravely.  “The girls have a fine show to win.  I know our country people, and they are more intelligent than you suppose.  Once they are brought to a proper way of thinking they will support Kenneth loyally.”

“Then we must bring them to a proper way of thinking,” said Patsy, with decision.  “From this time on, Ken, we become your campaign managers.  Don’t worry any more about the matter.  Go on with your painting and be happy.  We may require you to make a few speeches, but all the details will be arranged for you.”

“Do you intend to permit this, Uncle John?” asked Kenneth.

“I’m wholly in sympathy with the girls, Ken, and I believe in them.”

“But consider the humiliation to which they will subject themselves!  I’ve had a taste of that medicine, myself.”