Watson brushed the
interruption aside with a wave of her hand, though she flushed happily.
"Of course I've done my part of it," she agreed modestly. "But equally of
course I couldn't have done it if you girls hadn't stood shoulder to
shoulder with me. And," she added, enthusiastically, "it has been more the
spirit with which you did the work than the actual work itself that has
won such a reputation for our Hostess House here."
"'Reputation!'" repeated Mollie wonderingly, then added with an impish
inflection: "Oh, have we one of those things?"
"We have," responded Mrs. Watson, with an indulgent smile. "And, whether
deserved or not, modesty would prompt us to say that it is not, of
course--" and the girls laughed amusedly. "Our reputation is unusually
good and unusually widespread. So good, in fact, that the boys are glad
when they find they are to be sent to Camp Liberty."
"Yes," Betty nodded thoughtfully, "several boys have told me that, but I
thought they only said it in a spirit of gratitude, or perhaps, as
flattery."
"That is modest," said Mrs. Watson with another smile. "But," she added,
leaning forward in her chair and speaking earnestly, "I honestly think
that you girls don't even begin to realize what a wonderful work you have
been doing right here in this little city that sprang up over night. It
isn't a small thing, you know--sending thousands of our boys away cheered
and strengthened, armed to meet the future--better men, just for having
met you.
Pages:
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134