“To be eligible to the second rank of your order a young woman must be able to fulfil requirements such as these:  She must be able to prepare two meals without help or advice; must sleep with open windows or out of doors for at least one month; must refrain from candy and soda for at least one month; must know how to act when a person’s clothing is on fire or when a person has fallen into deep water, as well as what to do in case of fainting.

“The honors,” continued Mrs. Livingston, “are less easily earned.  For instance, any one of the following accomplishments will count as one point in the favor of the girl who earns them:  Be free from colds for two successive months in the winter; be able to bring up some certain object from the bottom in ten feet of water; to know and describe three kinds of baby cries and what they mean; to commit to memory the preambles to the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence; also Lincoln’s Gettysburg address.  There are many more requirements that you young women who have just become members of our camp, will learn from your associates.  I shall hope to see you not only reaching the next higher grade at an early day, but winning honors as well,” concluded Mrs. Livingston.

“Good grathiouth!” exclaimed Tommy in the brief period of silence following the Chief Guardian’s talk.  She said it in a voice that was heard by every one of the girls in camp.

A suppressed titter rippled around the tables.  Mrs. Livingston looked inquiringly at Tommy.

“Well, Miss Thompson, what is it?” questioned the guardian.

“I gueth I’ll be an angel before I know all of thith.”

The titter became a shout of merriment in which all the guardians joined.  Miss Elting knowing Tommy as she did, merely smiled, but Margery blushed painfully.  She felt humiliated for her friend.  Tommy, however, had fully established her reputation in that camp.  In future nothing that she might say or do would be taken seriously by her companions.  Mrs. Livingston made no effort to correct the girl.  Instead she left that to the girls believing that Tommy would leave the camp fairly well made over.  She understood that Tommy was merely a spoiled child, under whose apparently thoughtless, almost impertinent manner lay the making of a charming, lovable young woman.

While they were still at luncheon Jasper came into camp with the trunks that he had brought in another wagon.  He had found his horse, but the animal had cut both legs severely and could not be driven for some time.  From the log road Jasper had dragged the trunks to the camp on a two-wheeled cart.  Tommy spied him plodding down the path pushing the cart.  She eyed him inquiringly.  The girls set up a shout when they caught sight of Jasper.  He was popular in that he brought mail to them and sometimes goodies from home.

“That ith Jath,” nodded Tommy.

“You mean Mr. Jasper,” corrected Miss Partridge.