"All right, Terry,--see you later about it. Now, listen, hopefuls.
You'll all be here, but this occasion is going to be incomplete, unless
we have a lot more on deck. We all want to get out, and scout round and
fetch in every kid that wants to amount to anything at all and is big
enough to understand and appreciate what's going on. And even then it
won't be quite up to snuff unless--"

"I know! You want Mr. Hooper here, too!" shouted Skeets. But in trying
to rise to make herself heard, she upset her chair and then sat down on
the floor, jarring the building. When the shout of mirth subsided, Bill
said:

"That's right. Mr. Hooper and Professor Gray. We'll have to tell them
about it."

"Father wrote that he's coming home to-night," announced Grace proudly.

"Great shakes! Did he? Gus, get on the 'phone and find out!" Bill
commanded. "Now, then, let's all get busy and----"

"Righto, Billy, but what will our folks think has become of us when it's
so late?" Dot questioned.

"I move we go into executive session!" shouted Walt Maynard.

"Sure, and the president of the class can call a meeting," said Terry
Watkins.

"It's up to you then, Billy," Cora agreed.

"I call it. Come to order and dispense with the minutes, Miss
Secretary," Billy grinned at Dot. "Motion in order to send a committee
to inform all the girls' parents."

"I make that motion," said Bert.

"Second it. The boys' parents can get wise by radio," asserted Ted.

"Bert and Ted appointed. Get out and get busy!" Bill was no joke as an
executive. "Here's Gus. Did you get Mrs. Hooper?"

"I sure did. Mr. Hooper got home an hour ago."

"Glory!" Grace, you're driving your little runabout? I appoint Grace and
Mary a committee to go and get Mr. and Mrs. Hooper here right off. No
objections? Don't fail, Grace, or we'll send the entire bunch."

"We'll fetch him," laughed Grace as she and Mary hurried out.

"Now then, everybody else, including the chair, is appointed a committee
to bring in every boy and girl in the town who will come. Work fast! I
wonder if we could promise some eats." Bill glanced at Terry.

"Yes; tell them there'll be refreshments!" shouted the rich boy. "It'll
be my treat. Bill, make me a committee of one to hive the grub. Cakes,
candy, bananas and ice cream; eh?"

"Done!" declared Bill. "Go to it, with the class's blessing!"

"Yes and Heaven's best on Terry Watkins," said Cora.

In a moment the hall was empty. Twenty minutes later