The new Scouts were put through several tests that afternoon, and were then permitted to watch the Scouts of Patrol No. 1 do many thrilling First Aid demonstrations. The afternoon ended with refreshments, all prepared and served by the girls. The cakes, wild berries and lemonade tasted delicious as the girls sat under the great oak tree and chatted.
On the homeward walk, Nancy Sherman said to Natalie: "There are a few more girls at the Corners who are crazy to join the Scouts this summer. But I told them I thought our Patrol was full. Was that right?"
"Who are the girls--and how old are they, Nancy?"
"Oh, most of them are about thirteen or fourteen, but one girl is past fifteen. There are six, in all, and they say that they know some more girls who will join when they hear of it."
"Why can't they start Patrol No. 3, and belong to this same Troop," suggested Janet.
"That's just what I was thinking," said Natalie.
Then Mrs. James spoke. "Nancy, you invite all these girls to our farm some day and we will entertain them. After we have shown them what we can do in Scout work we will accept them as candidates, if they consent to become _our_ Tenderfoot Scouts. In this way, girls, you all can win the needed test to enroll as a First Class Scout when the time is at hand."
This was an excellent idea, and the girls felt greatly encouraged at the hope of being able to take the examinations as First Class Scouts, of Patrol No. 2, of Solomon's Seal Troop.
Nancy was entrusted with the invitation to the girls, and warned to keep secrecy about the plan to secure the approval as First Class Scouts on their Tenderfoot training.
Sam and the car were nowhere in sight when the girls reached the house, but Rachel came out and explained.
"A telerphone call come f'om Noo York f'om dat antique woman, sayin' fer Belle t' git dat ol' chest of drawers oveh by Tarrytown road, right now. It war to be expressed at onct to her shop in Noo York, what Belle had an address of, so I had Sam go along to git it an' fetch it back so's we coul' pack an' ship it right off."
"Oh, Rachel! He need not have done that! I made all arrangements with a man near there to get the chest to the railroad station and express it to the city. I was only awaiting orders," exclaimed Belle, annoyed at the way her well-laid plans were upset.