The Camp Fire Girls by the Blue Lagoon

  *CHAPTER V*

  *RENUNCIATION*

  At the door of Mrs. Burton's private sitting-room, which was slightlyajar, hearing voices inside, Bettina paused. She had changed her wetoutdoor costume for a simple dinner dress, but did not wish to disturbany visitor, knowing that her Camp Fire guardian saw only intimatefriends at this hour and in this room. The room in which Bettina wasstanding at present was the ordinary reception room.

  Mrs. Burton was speaking and an instant later Bettina caught the soundof her own name.

  "I did not dream, my dear, that Bettina could be so selfish andunreasonable. I confess I _am_ deeply disappointed in her! Save thatshe told me what she wished with her own lips, I could never havebelieved she could be so inconsiderate of you."

  Then a voice followed which surprised Bettina, although it was the onevoice with which she was more familiar than any other.

  "But, Polly, perhaps you do not understand Bettina. She never beforehas seemed either selfish or unreasonable. And if she now appearsinconsiderate of me, the fault probably is mine. Bettina should havehad a more serious-minded mother, one who would not have asked her towaste her gifts and her beautiful, generous nature in a societyexistence. I have been talking with Anthony since Bettina came to you.He seems unusually severe and for the first time I can recall is annoyedwith his 'Slim Princess,' the title he used to bestow on Bettina.Anthony declares that Bettina should wish to be with me beyond any otherpossible desire and that she particularly needs my influence. This I amafraid is not true. I have been struggling to make Anthony see, and youmust recognize this as an excuse for Bettina, Polly, dear, that her wishat present is merely an inheritance from Anthony. For as long as I canremember Anthony has been working to better conditions for people whomhe considers less fortunate than himself. This has kept him many yearsin political life, when often his own desire has been to retire. NowBettina simply is longing to express the same ideal in the work that, asa young girl, she feels herself by nature fitted for. I have beenstanding in her way, I am afraid the selfishness has been mine, althoughat first I was unable to see the situation in this light. I am so proudof Bettina and so wanted her to be with me in order to introduce her tothe brilliant and charming friends Anthony and I have acquired in ouryears in Washington."

  "You are an angel, Betty!" Mrs. Burton responded.

  Her companion laughed, for the first time her voice revealing a happiertone.

  "Polly, there is only one human being in this world possessed of fewerangelic attributes! That person is your famous self. It is ridiculousand not in the least fair of you to be so critical of Bettina. Ipresume you have forgotten that when you were a girl youdisappeared--was it for over a year?--from all of us who cared for you.At that time you deliberately set out to try your fortune in soreprehensible a career as the stage. Now if Bettina had chosen soundesirable a profession as yours, I might be unhappy. The work shewishes to do is constructive and unselfish. I went to call on MissMerton, the friend Bettina made last summer who interested her in socialsettlement work. She has a very different impression of Bettina fromthe one you seem to have acquired as her Camp Fire guardian. She is aremarkable woman and I never wish to forget what she said to me. Sheeven agreed that Bettina should remain this winter with me and do what Iplanned for her, yet she believes that Bettina has a wonderfulpersonality and unusual gifts and that one day she will do work that maybe of permanent value. Under the circumstances it is I who have failedBettina. In the future she will remember and find it hard to forgiveme."

  "Mother!" there was a little rush as Bettina entered the room. Aninstant after her arms were about her mother and her cheek restingagainst her beautiful soft hair.

  "I have been playing eavesdropper outside the door for the past tenminutes and so heard Tante villify my character and your defence of me.She isn't to be trusted, is she, dearest?"

  Bettina glanced toward her Camp Fire guardian. There was a little flashof understanding between them.

  Immediately Mrs. Burton rose from her chair.

  "I am going into my room to dress for dinner, Betty. I don't know whatBettina's idea of you may be, but I am convinced that you areunreasonable and inconsiderate. I have merely seen your side of thisquestion because of my affection for you. In return you tell me that Ihave no true appreciation of your daughter and that I have chosen aprofession for which you feel not respect while Bettina's choice isaltogether admirable."

  Mrs. Burton's eyes were lowered and her cheeks flushed as she movedtoward her own door.

  "Polly dear, I haven't wounded you? Please don't be angry with me, younever have been in all these years."

  There was no reply. Bettina whispered, "Don't mind Tante, mother. Ithink she really intended to force you to defend me. Certainly I amgrateful to her. Besides, she needs your criticism this winter, now herplay is such a success and she no longer has Aunt Patricia or her CampFire girls to keep her in order. As for all those foolish, delightfulthings you said about me, I shall remember them always, although ofcourse they are not true. When are you going home? I want to go withyou, I mean to be the most popular debutante in Washington this winter.The other foolish dream of mine can wait."

  Mrs. Graham shook her head.

  "No, Bettina, now I understand how you feel, I really don't desire youto do anything except what you wish. Don't leave us, please, Polly, notfor a few moments, I want to talk to you. You can't be offended. MissMerton suggests that Bettina take some special courses in social workthis winter and that she come to her for practical experience in thework two or three times a week.

  "I won't be lonely, I'll run over to New York frequently to see youboth. And remember, Polly, that you promised me that you would come tome in the spring, no matter if your play is the greatest success in NewYork. You assured Richard and me that you would not try your strengthby a too long engagement. Besides, you have never seen our 'House by theBlue Lagoon'. Bettina and I have given the place this title. It wasAnthony's anniversary gift to me. The house is on an island in the sea,but there is an arm of water that has cut its way into the land that isblue as the Bay of Naples. You'll bring as many of your Sunrise CampFire girls with you as you can induce to come. This shall be my rewardthat you and Bettina both care more for what you are pleased to callyour careers than for me. I shall try to persuade Aunt Patricia to joinus. She must have relented by that time."

  Mrs. Burton shook her head.

  "Never, dear! But of course I am coming to you. I lie awake at nightand dream of the happy time we shall have together when the winter'swork is past. 'The Blue Lagoon', the very name is magical."