The smile slowly faded from Harriet’s face, and now that the animation had left it, it was rather plain.  Her hair brushed straight back from a broad forehead, made more pronounced the undeniable plainness of her features.  But when animated that face was fairly transformed.  As Miss Elting had expressed it, “Harriet lighted up divinely.”  She was a tall, well built girl whose erect carriage and graceful poise indicated athletic training.

“Yes, that will be fine, indeed,” agreed Harriet.  “Of course you know it will not be possible for me to go with you, much as I should like to.  You understand why without my explaining, Miss Elting.”

“Yeth you will go,” burst out Grace, suddenly finding her voice again.  “I’ll pay for you.  I’ve got lotth and lotth of money.”

Harriet’s face flushed.

“You are a dear, Tommy.  But you know I could not permit you to do that,” was Harriet’s gentle reply.  “It is very, very good of you, but wholly impossible.  You know Miss Elting, that I could not afford a vacation such as that, much as I should like to go.  Oh, wouldn’t it be fine if we four girls might spend our vacation in camp together?” she exclaimed, her features lighting up again.

“And so you shall,” answered Miss Elting with a finality in her tone that led Harriet Burrell to gaze at the young woman with keen, questioning eyes.  “Listen, my dear.  I am going to take you with me as my guest.  As I have already explained, I am one of the guardians of the camp.  The guardians receive no remuneration for their services, but each is entitled, if she wishes, to take one girl with her as her guest.  The girl so taken would be a member of the camp, just the same as the others.  She would in no sense be a charity member either.  She would be on exactly the same footing as her companions.  That is the way you are going to join the camping party.  I am inviting you to be my guest.  Your name already has been registered with Mrs. Livingston, the Chief Guardian of the camp.  Your place will be ready for you when you reach there, and I believe you will enjoy your summer thoroughly.”

“Now what have you got to thay to that?” demanded Grace triumphantly.

Harriet turned a thoughtful gaze on the smiling face of her mother.

“And you knew about this all the time, but said never a word to me, Mother?”

“Yes, dear.”

“Oh, you darling Mother,” cried the girl impulsively, throwing both arms about Mrs. Burrell’s neck, kissing her affectionately.  From her mother Harriet turned her attention to Miss Elting whom she also embraced in a bear-like hug.  “How can I ever thank you?”

“By going with us,” answered Miss Elting.

“Thay, aren’t you going to kith me?  Didn’t I firtht tell you about it?” demanded Tommy.

Harriet ran over to her little friend, kissing her lightly, at the same time giving Tommy’s ear a pinch.

“Girls, you have been in the secret all the time, too, haven’t you?”