Part 10 (2/2)
Rose led her through the woodshed and out of doors--Hazel knew that by the rush of soft air that met her face--and away, somewhither. At last she was helped to climb a ladder; Chi's hand grasped hers, and she felt the flooring under her feet. Then she was left without support of any kind, not daring to move with Chi's story in her thoughts.
”Guess we 'll have the roll-call first,” said Chi, solemnly. There was not a sound to be heard except now and then a rush of wings and the twitter of swallows.
”Molly Stark.”
”Here,” said Rose.
”Markis de Lafayette.”
”Here,” from March.
”Marthy Was.h.i.+n'ton.”
”Present,” said Cherry, forgetting she was not in school. Budd snickered, and the president called him to order.
”Fine of two cents for snickerin' in meetin'.” Budd looked sober.
”Ethan Allen.”
”Here,” said Budd, in a subdued voice.
”Old Put,--Here,” said Chi, addressing and answering himself. ”Now, Markis, read the by-laws.”
”Number One.--We pledge ourselves not to be afraid to tell the truth.”
”Number Two.--We pledge ourselves to be afraid to tell a lie.
”Number Three.--We pledge ourselves to try to help others whenever we can, wherever we can, however we can, as long as ever we can.
”Number Four.--We, as American boys and girls, pledge ourselves never to play the coward nor to disgrace our country.”
”Molly Stark, unfurl the flag,” said Chi.
Hazel heard a rustle as Rose unrolled the banner of soft red, white, and blue cambric.
”Put Old Glory round the candidate's shoulders,” commanded the president, and Hazel felt the soft folds being draped about her.
”There now, Lady-bird, you 're dressed as pretty as you 're ever goin'
to be; it don't make a mite of difference whether you 're the Empress of Rooshy, or just plain every-day folks; 'n' now you 've got that rig on, we 're ready to give you the hand of fellows.h.i.+p. Markis, you have the floor.”
”What name does the candidate wish to be known by?” asked March, with due gravity; then, forgetting his role, he added, ”You must take the name of some woman who has been just as brave as she could be.”
Hazel, feeling the folds of the flag about her, suddenly recalled her favorite poem of Whittier's.
”Barbara Frietchie,” she said promptly and firmly.
The various members shouted and cheered themselves hoa.r.s.e before order was restored.
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