ord."

"Neither has Ruth made any remarks," replied Anne. "Why don't you ask
her? I think she has something to say on the subject."

All eyes were immediately turned on Ruth, who flushed, looked almost
distressed, then said slowly, "Could the girls who asked for help borrow
the money and return it as soon as they were able?"

"Of course," responded Arline. "Don't be afraid that you are going to
have charity thrust upon you, Ruth."

"That would be the only basis on which we could establish a society of
that kind," commented Miriam. "An Overton girl would hesitate to make
use of the money except as a loan."

"What would we call ourselves?" asked Elfreda abruptly.

"We can decide on a name later," said Arline. "The thing to decide now
is, shall we or shall we not form this society? Answer yes or no?"

"Yes," was the chorus.

"Don't you think," said Grace after a slight deliberation, "that it
would be nicer if we could finance this society ourselves, instead of
asking our fathers and mothers for money? It isn't any particular effort
for most of us to write home for money. How much better it would be if
we could say that we had earned the money ourselves, or saved it from
our allowances."

"But what about my five hundred dollars?" questioned Arline plaintively.
"As the originator of this scheme I claim the privilege of putting in as
much capital as I please. I am going to be the exception that proves the
rule. Besides, Father has already promised me the money. Take the five
hundred dollars for the basis of our fund, then we will pledge ourselves
hereafter to earn or contribute whatever money we put into it."

"What do you say to that, girls?" asked Grace.

"I think Arline ought to be allowed to give the five hundred dollars if
she wishes," said Miriam. "It is her money and her plan. Besides, we
need the money!"

"I think so, too," echoed Elfreda. "We might call the society the
'Arline Thayer Club.'"

"If you dare--" began Arline.

"Save your breath, my child, I didn't mean that seriously," drawled
Elfreda. "However, we had better begin our society here, to-night. There
are six of us. Shall we add to our number or let well enough alone?"

"I'd like to have Gertrude Wells in it," said Arline. "Shall we make it
strictly a sophomore affair?"

"I think it would be better," replied Grace.

"Then let us ask Emma Dean, Elizabeth Wade, Marian Cummings and Elsie
Wilton," pursued Arline.

"Seven, eight, nine, ten