Juliet Temple

“But, my dear, do you think this the proper time to introduce a stranger into our household?”

Mrs. Burton and Captain Burton were walking up and down outside Tahawus cabin the following morning. Wearing a sealskin coat and a small fur hat and muff, little was visible except Mrs. Burton’s eyes and the brilliant color in her cheeks wrought by the still, clear cold.

Captain Burton, who was a good deal older, was a middle-aged man with iron-gray hair and dark eyes; a handsome, erect figure, considerably taller than his companion.
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“Why, no, I suppose not, Polly,” he returned, “but I explained to you the circumstances were exceptional. Here was a girl who had been living in the same boarding place with me, to whom I had been saying good-morning and good-evening for a number of weeks and now and then stopping to talk for a few moments, suddenly turned out into the world with no money and apparently no friends whom she could ask to aid her. I believe she has friends, but preferred being independent. Had I not assured her you were greatly in need of some one, she would not have come to you. She was careful to tell me that although she had studied nursing a short time, she was not a professional nurse, having given up her studies in order to take a position in Washington during the war, being in need of funds and unable to wait for her graduation.

“I convinced her that you were not so ill as to require professional care, but required some one to wait upon you, prepare special dishes and write letters. In fact, I even told her that a part of her work would be that of a maid, but that I was sure you would be extremely kind and that living with you was a pleasure, Polly, under almost any conditions.”

Mrs. Burton laughed.
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“That was very kind of you, dear, but scarcely true. I have an idea that Miss Temple will form a different impression of my character as an invalid if she overhears Aunt Patricia’s report of me. Besides, Richard, don’t you realize that Aunt Patricia will never permit Miss Temple to usurp her duties, which seem to consist in forcing me to eat more food and sleep a greater number of hours than any human being reasonably can manage. As for the other tasks, which I am perfectly well able to accomplish for myself, there are half a dozen of the Camp Fire girls more than willing to do whatever I ask. Then there is my beloved Betty Graham whom I have not seen intimately in a number of years. We have made a secret arrangement by which she pretends to be acting as my secretary in order that we may have a few quiet hours together. As I do not write a dozen letters a week and ordinarily write them myself, Betty does not find her duties arduous. Really I do not see what Miss Temple is to do for me or for any one else. I am sorry for her of course, but just at present the cabin is to be unusually crowded. If the girl has no money I suppose we must see that she is able to board somewhere for a time, although we haven’t a great deal of money ourselves these days, have we?
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“I do wish Aunt Patricia were not so generous. It is ridiculous for me to be living in this state! Please don’t let her find out we must help Miss Temple until she is able to secure work. She would then insist upon undertaking the responsibility, besides being immensely aggrieved at our having thought of it. Her one idea is that I shall have no reason to say I must go back to work in order to help restore our fortunes. Aunt Patricia seems to object to everything in connection with the stage these days, when once upon a time she loved it dearly.”

“But, Polly, Miss Temple will not accept money. I offered to lend her a small amount which she could repay when she chose, but she declared that I was a comparative stranger, and if she were forced to borrow money had best apply to some one who had known her longer and more intimately.
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“What I don’t understand is why you wrote me that you and Aunt Patricia were greatly in need of some one and that you were much worried over Aunt Patricia’s breaking down. I have had this in mind some time and been worried. Women are so extraordinarily inconsistent!”

“Yes, and men so extraordinarily dull sometimes, my dear. I plead guilty; I did write you what you accuse me of, but that was months ago when Aunt Patricia and I were living here alone. Since then, as you know, our household has changed completely. Betty is here and all the Camp Fire girls, and we even have a jewel of a cook, Elspeth. You must talk to her. Her people have lived in the Adirondacks for years and yet she still has a trace of a Scotch accent and uses Scotch words now and then.”

“Very well, as I know Miss Temple and you do not, I presume I had best try to explain the situation. But I must say I am disappointed. I thought you were particularly sympathetic with young girls, Polly, after your experience as a Camp Fire guardian. As far as I know Juliet Temple is a charming girl and I see no reason why she cannot be made a member of your Sunrise Camp Fire club.”
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Long ago Polly O’Neill had been fairly well known among her family and friends for her quick temper, but the years and life’s discipline had taught her a measure of self-control.

She flushed now and bit her lips.

“Richard, you are not fair,” she said finally. “I do care for girls and I am sorry for this Miss Temple. But I cannot undertake to rescue every girl who is in a difficulty. And as for making her a member of our Camp Fire, I do wish you would try to understand something of the Camp Fire organization. The guardian does not select the members of a Camp Fire club. She may suggest a girl, but the choice really rests with the other girls. I should never think of asking my group of girls to include any one who is a stranger and might be wholly uncongenial. Besides, there are certain tests before any girl can join the Camp Fire. How old is this Juliet Temple?”

“Only eighteen, I believe. She wishes to be thought older; has been forced to give the impression because of being obliged to earn her living.”
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Not liking the suggestion of deceit and not having been attracted toward the newcomer at their single brief meeting earlier in the day, Mrs. Burton continued her walk, saying nothing more.

Finally she laid her hand on her husband’s coat sleeve.

“Let’s not quarrel, dear, when we have not been together in so long a time. I shall never be able to like your Miss Temple if she has made you angry with me.”

“Nonsense, but here comes Aunt Patricia and I will ask her advice, Polly. She is the greatest trump in the world and I owe her more than I shall ever owe anyone for her devotion to you.”

As Miss Patricia approached she was seen to be wearing a heavy, long black coat and a soft gray felt hat belonging to one of the Camp Fire girls which, perched on top of her head, gave her a rakish appearance.

Expecting to be ordered indoors, M............