The Camp Fire Girls in Glorious France

Julie’s state of mind, her amazing candor were the attributes of a thoroughly untrained child, nevertheless Marguerite Arnot’s long patience could endure no more.

“Never make a speech of that kind to me again as long as you live, Julie. But one thing I would like to understand. What do you mean by saying you arranged for me to go to the Queen’s secret garden? Was I invited by Mrs. Burton, Bettina Graham, or Mr. Hale?”

Julie shrugged her little French shoulders.

“You were invited by no one of them, your invitation came from me. I simply pretended to you that you were asked, thinking you might make the best of the opportunity. But since you had an agreeable time and nothing happened I don’t see the difference.”

Annoyed by her older friend’s manner Julie had begun her speech in anger, but at its conclusion she was also a little frightened.

Without replying Marguerite Arnot arose and left the room.

In Mrs. Burton’s sitting-room, she was fortunate enough to discover both Mrs. Burton and Bettina Graham, who had been reading a letter together and discussing it.

“I am so glad it is you, Marguerite,” Mrs. Burton declared, as Marguerite entered after knocking. “Bettina and I were just planning to send for you to ask if you would have a talk with us. I suppose you know that Aunt Patricia and I have been arguing as to whether you are to stay with her in France for the relief work or to come to England for the summer with me. But as a matter of fact Aunt Patricia really agrees with me and we both feel you have worked long enough for the time being and are in need of a real holiday. So first of all, will you come with us to England, Marguerite, as one of my Camp Fire girls? Afterwards, Bettina’s mother, who is my dearest friend and the most charming woman in the world besides, wishes you to come to the United States if you like and first of all to her home in Washington. The opportunities for your work ought to be better in the United States in the next few years than in France, and Mrs. Graham will be able to give you a start in Washington and take care of you and be very grateful to you in the bargain.”

“But Mrs Burton,” Marguerite protested, a little overcome by so much generosity and such a bewildering number of opportunities, “you will be good enough to give me time to think over what you have proposed. Of course I know I shall love to go to England for the summer, but the United States seems so far away. What I really came down to see you for was to apologize; I did not know until a moment ago that no one of you invited me on your excursion to the Queen’s garden the other afternoon. It was a wretched mistake and I’m sorry, I can’t explain exactly what happened or why I thought I was asked without involving some one else.”

“Then don’t attempt it for goodness sake, Marguerite, because it was delightful to have you!” Bettina answered quickly, sympathizing with the other girl’s embarrassment, although not understanding the situation.

“It was really a piece of good fortune, wasn’t it after all, Marguerite, a piece of good fortune for me, since it afforded me my only chance for a talk with you alone since our acquaintance?” Mrs. Burton added. “Now you two girls please go away and leave me, because I have some most important work to do. I must write Madame Clermont instructions and suggestions regarding the future of the Camp Fire organization in France.”

Ten days later, accompanied by Marguerite Arnot and five of the American Camp Fire girls, Captain and Mrs. Burton sailed for England.

They were crossing from Boulogne to Folkestone on a late spring afternoon; it was toward the close of a warm and quiet day so that the water was still and blue.

On this passage the little channel steamer was largely filled by British officers and soldiers returning home after service in France.

As the boat pushed off from the French shore a farewell shout rang out from the people crowding the dock; from somewhere back in the old French town a Cathedral bell began chiming an evening hymn.

A British officer chanced to be standing beside Mrs. Burton, both of them leaning over the railing watching the receding line of shore.

“It has been a great adventure, Madame, a world adventure, this fighting for brotherhood in France. I see you are an American woman, yet whether or not one ever returns to these shores, the old axiom is now forever true, every one of us who has lived in France during the war will henceforward have two countries – his own and Glorious France!”

The officer, lifting his hand, saluted the French shore.

1

See “The Camp Fire Girls on the Field of Honor.”

2

See “The Camp Fire Girls on the Field of Honor.”

3

See “The Camp Fire Girls on the Field of Honor.”