第29章 The Debating Club(2)
Molly Loo had no mother to say a word for her,but she settled matters for herself by holding fast to Merry,and declaring that she would have no escort but faithful Boo.
It is necessary to dwell a moment upon this new amusement,because it was not peculiar to Harmony Village,but appears everywhere as naturally as the game parties and croquet which have taken the place of the husking frolics and apple-bees of olden times,and it is impossible to dodge the subject if one attempts to write of boys and girls as they really are nowadays.
"Here,my hero,see how you like this.If it suits,you will be ready to march as soon as the doctor gives the word,"said Ralph,coming into the Bird Room that evening with a neat little crutch under his arm.
"Ha,ha,that looks fine!I'd like to try it right off,but I won't till Iget leave.Did you make it yourself,Ral?"asked Jack,handling it with delight,as he sat bolt upright,with his leg on a rest,for he was getting on capitally now.
"Mostly.Rather a neat job,I flatter myself.""I should say so.What a clever fellow you are!Any new inventions lately?"asked Frank,coming up to examine and admire.
Only an anti-snoring machine and an elbow-pad,answered Ralph,with a twinkle in his eye,as if reminded of something funny.
"Go on,and tell about them.I never heard of an anti-snorer.Jack better have one,"said Frank,interested at once.
"Well,a rich old lady kept her family awake with that lively music,so she sent to Shirtman and Codleff for something to stop it.They thought it was a good joke,and told me to see what I could do.I thought it over,and got up the nicest little affair you ever saw.It went over the mouth,and had a tube to fit the ear,so when the lady snored she woke herself up and stopped it.It suited exactly.I think of taking out a patent,"concluded Ralph,joining in the boys' laugh at the droll idea.
"What was the pad?"asked Frank,returning to the small model of an engine he was making.
"Oh,that was a mere trifle for a man who had a tender elbow-joint and wanted something to protect it.I made a little pad to fit on,and his crazy-bone was safe.""I planned to have you make me a new leg if this one was spoilt,"said Jack,sure that his friend could invent anything under the sun.
"I'd do my best for you.I made a hand for a fellow once,and that got me my place,you know,"answered Ralph,who thought little of such mechanical trifles,and longed to be painting portraits or modelling busts,being an artist as well as an inventor.
Here Gus,Ed,and several other boys came in,and the conversation became general.Grif,Chick,and Brickbat were three young gentlemen whose own respectable names were usually ignored,and they cheerfully answered to these nicknames.
As the clock struck seven,Frank,who ruled the club with a rod of iron when Chairman,took his place behind the study table.Seats stood about it,and a large,shabby book lay before Gus,who was Secretary,and kept the records with a lavish expenditure of ink,to judge by the blots.The members took their seats,and nearly all tilted back their chairs and put their hands in their pockets,to keep them out of mischief;for,as everyone knows,it is impossible for two lads to be near each other and refrain from tickling or pinching.Frank gave three raps with an old croquet-mallet set on a short handle,and with much dignity opened the meeting.
"Gentlemen,the business of the club will be attended to,and then we will discuss the question,'Shall girls go to our colleges?'The Secretary will now read the report of the last meeting."Clearing his throat,Gus read the following brief and elegant report:
"Club met,December I 8th,at the house of G.Burton,Esq.
Subject:
'Is summer or winter best fun?'A lively pow-wow.About evenly divided.J.Flint fined five cents for disrespect to the Chair.Acollection of forty cents taken up to pay for breaking a pane of glass during a free fight of the members on the door-step.E.
Devlin was chosen Secretary for the coming year,and a new book contributed by the Chairman.""That's all."
"Is there any other business before the meeting?"asked Frank,as the reader closed the old book with a slam and shoved the new one across the table.
Ed rose,and glancing about him with an appealing look,said,as if sure his proposition would not be well received,"I wish to propose the name of a new member.Bob Walker wants to join,and I think we ought to let him.He is trying to behave well,and I am sure we could help him.Can't we?"All the boys looked sober,and Joe,otherwise Brickbat,said,bluntly,"I won't.He's a bad lot,and we don't want any such here.
Let him go with chaps of his own sort."
"That is just what I want to keep him from!He's a good-hearted boy enough,oniy no one looks after him;so he gets into scrapes,as we should,if we were in his place,I'd are say.He wants to come here,and would be so proud if he was let in,I know he'd behave.Come now,let's give him a chance,"and Ed looked at Gus and Frank,sure that if they stood by him he should carry his point.
But Gus shook his head,as if doubtful of the wisdom of the plan,and Frank said gravely:"You know we made the rule that the number should never be over eight,and we cannot break it.""You needn't.I can't he here half the time,so I will resign and let Bob have my place,"began Ed,but he was silenced by shouts of "No,no,you shan't!""We won't let you off!""Club would go to smash,if you back out!""Let him have my place;I'm the youngest,and you won't miss me,"cried Jack,bound to stand by Ed at all costs.
"We might do that,"said Frank,who did object to small boys,though willing to admit this particular one.
"Better make a new rule to have ten members,and admit both Bob and Tom Grant,"said Ralph,whereat Grif grinned and Joe scowled,for one lad liked Merry's big brother and the other did not.
"That's a good idea!Put it to vote,"said Gus,too kind-hearted to shut the door on anyone.