Part 16 (1/2)
”Who to?” persisted Edna. ”What do they have to write letters for? We've n.o.body to write letters to but Aunt Margaret and the rest.”
”Not to them, of _course_,” returned Cricket, somewhat impatiently, as she did not at all know the duties of a secretary. ”And the treasurer takes care of the money, of course,” she went on, quickly s.h.i.+fting the subject to something she was sure of.
”How are we going to get any money, will you kindly tell me?” pursued Edna.
”Keeping a peanut stand,” suggested Eunice, slyly.
”No, don't let's,” answered Cricket, seriously. ”It isn't really _much_ fun, and you don't make very much, anyway. First, let's take up a collection to buy the paper with, for we've got to have that. And, well, if we should have any money in any way, the treasurer would be all ready to take care of it. Don't you see?”
”Ye-es. I nominate Cricket for secretary and treasurer, then--”
”I'll second the motive--Cricket, that doesn't sound right.”
”It is,” said Cricket, positively. ”When I went to that meeting with mamma, they kept saying that--'I'll second the motive.'”
”All right, then, I'll second the motive, but then Edna will have to be the editor.”
”No, no,” cried Edna, looking alarmed. ”I'll nominate myself for secretary and treasurer, and we'll have Cricket for editor. There won't be any letters to write, and I'm sure there won't be much money to take care of.”
”It will be lots of work to be editor,” meditated Eunice. ”Wouldn't this be better, girls? Let each be editor in turn.”
”Yes, that will be best,” said Cricket. ”I'd just as lief be first editor, though, if Edna doesn't want to.”
”And I'd _lievser_ you would,” said Edna. ”Shall I be secretary and treasurer, then? All in favour say aye;” and Eunice and Cricket said aye, loudly.
”What do we do now the officers are all chosen?” asked Edna.
”Make rules and by-laws,” answered Cricket, promptly.
”What _are_ by-laws?” asked Edna, again.
”Why, they are--by-laws. I don't know just exactly what they are,” broke off Cricket, honestly. ”But I think they sound very interesting and grown-up-y. Do you know what they are, Eunice?”
”N--o, not exactly. Do you suppose they are the laws about buying things? or who must buy them, or anything like that?”
”Why, of course!” exclaimed Cricket, with an air of conviction. ”You see then, we'll _have_ to have by-laws to see about buying the paper, won't we?”
”And what sort of rules do we have?” went on Edna, in the pursuit of information.
”Oh, everything! Let's begin to make them now. You write them down, Edna, for your handwriting is so nice and neat. Take the last leaf of your blank book.”
Edna obediently opened her book, and took up her pencil.
”Write 'Rules for the Echo Club' at the top of the page,” directed Cricket. ”Now, Rule One,” when this was down in Edna's careful handwriting.
”How would this do for rule one? 'We make ourselves into a club called the Echo Club.'”
”That's good. Now for rule two.
”'Every two weeks we will print a paper called the _Echo_,'” said Cricket. ”Edna, you make up rule three.”