Part 17 (1/2)

”Lil hasn't said a word about it to me,” Jess Morse declared.

”No, she is going to get Mr. Mann himself to propose Hester--”

”But Hessie isn't a member of the club!” cried Nellie.

”We have set a precedent there,” said Laura thoughtfully. ”We took Janet Steele into the ice carnival, and she was not a member of the school.”

”That was an entirely different thing!” snapped Jess.

”Why, Hester Grimes is no more fit to play that part than I am fit for the professional stage!” Nellie Agnew said. ”What can Lil mean?”

”I bet a cooky,” Bobby growled, ”that Hester put Lil up to it. You know, Hess is crazy to get her finger into every pie; but she would never come straight out and ask to join our club.”

”She'd be blackballed,” said Dora tartly.

”I believe she would,” agreed her twin.

Bobby chuckled. ”There would be two black beans against her, and no mistake.”

”What did you say to Lil, Clara?” demanded Laura thoughtfully.

”Not a word.”

”How was that?” Jess asked. ”You didn't have a sudden attack of lockjaw, did you?”

”Don't fret, Jess,” said Bobby sharply. ”I know when to keep my mouth shut on occasion. I came right away from there to find you girls. Something must be done about it.”

”Oh, dear me!” groaned Nellie. ”If Margit Salgo had only been allowed to take the part!”

”What did I tell you?” almost snarled Bobby. ”Gee Gee has managed to queer the whole business. This play is going to be a failure.”

CHAPTER XIII

MOTHER WIT HAS AN IDEA

The ice carnival had been such a success in a spectacular as well as a monetary way that many of the friends of the Central High girls and boys declared they would like to have it repeated. More than a thousand dollars--to be exact, one thousand and twenty dollars--had been made for the Red Cross.

Centerport was doing its very best to gather its quota for the great inst.i.tution that was doing so much good in the world. Janet Steele confessed to Laura that she had gained more than one hundred dollar members.h.i.+ps, and that nearly all of these had given something in addition to their members.h.i.+p fee.

”I wish we girls could help,” said Laura wistfully.

”And you having done so much already!” cried Janet. ”Why, you've already done more than your share! And doing a play, too!”

”I am afraid the play will not be a great success,” Mother Wit sighed, but more to herself than to the other girl.

Those who wished to repeat the ice carnival success had to give the idea up, for before the end of the week there swept down over the North Woods and across frozen Lake Luna such a blizzard as the surrounding country had not seen for several years. The street cars stopped running, traffic of all sorts was tied up, and even the electricity for lighting purposes was put out of commission for twenty-four hours.

Of course, it did not keep many of the girls and boys of Central High at home. Snow piled up in the streets did not daunt them at all. But when the amateur actors undertook to rehea.r.s.e they had to do so by the light of candles and kerosene lamps.