's not to be worn in public?" she murmured, as with a show of
complacency the "screen" was removed.

Claude and Nettie gave a murmur of joy when they beheld the beautiful
painted canvas spread out before them.

At the end of the scene when the curtain fell, the lecturer in a few
words thanked the ladies for their courtesy and thoughtfulness. "To
have regard for the rights and feelings of others is to act upon the
Golden Rule! Not alone for the audience but for myself also I thank
you! Especially do I thank the little girls who set the good example."
He turned to the bench where the originators of the movement sat and
gave them an impressive bow, then he stepped back, and the band started
up with a crash and a bang that resounded throughout the hall.

"It was Alene who deserved all the credit," commented Ivy.

"Yes, indeed," agreed Laura warmly.

"He looked straight at me," whispered Vera.

"Miss Vanity, it was all Alene's work!" returned her sister.

At that moment Alene's gaze, straying to another part of the hall,
spied her Uncle Fred who had come in unobserved by the girls and taken
a seat not far away.

He was looking in her direction with such a pleased and happy
countenance that Alene, meeting his glance, flashed him a radiant smile
over the heads of the people.

"I wonder what makes him look so pleased," she murmured.

CHAPTER XV

AFTER THE SHOW

Meanwhile, outside in the court, many boys and girls who were unable to
attend the show found a great attraction in its immediate vicinity.

To watch the doors through which so many lucky individuals passed had
proved very interesting earlier in the evening, and after the door had
closed upon the latest comer to creep closely to doors and windows, and
listen to the hum and flutter of the crowd, and then to hear the band's
inspiring strains was a source of joy. But when the music ceased and a
great calm settled on the audience, they knew very well it was because
the show had commenced, and that, alas, was not visible through thick
boards.

One window, whose shutters were pierced by penknives in former years,
was held valiantly all the evening by a special clique of youngsters
who relieved each other at intervals in pressing their eyes to the
holes, thus getting glimpses of the mysteries within.

A certain ingenious lad had repaired to a nearby house, borrowed a red
hot poker, and returning to the hall, bored two peep-holes through
another shut