their own way. Usually all the other girls liked to do
as they said, and they were accordingly very much pleased with Betty,
apparently because she hardly ever agreed with them.

"Let's go to walk, then," said Betty.

"I'll tell you what we'll do," Lizzie Grant said in a business-like
tone. "Let's go down the old road a little way, toward the river, and
sit under the black cherry-tree on the stone wall; you know how cool it
is there in the morning? I can't stay but a little while any way. I am
going to help mother."

Nobody objected and away they went two by two. Evidently there was
serious business on hand, which could by no means be told lightly or
without some regard to the surroundings.

"Now what is it?" demanded Betty, when they had seated themselves under
the old black cherry-tree; but neither of the girls took it upon her to
speak first. "I promise never, never to tell."

Mary Grant took a thin, square little book out of her pocket, half of a
tiny account book of the plainest sort, and held it up to Betty so that
she could see the letters S. B. C. on the pale brown pasteboard cover.
It certainly looked very interesting and mysterious. "We thought that we
would admit another member," said Mary; "but it is a very difficult
thing to belong, and you must hold up your right hand and promise on
your word of honor that you will never speak of it to any girl in
Tideshead."

"I may have to speak of it to papa. I always tell papa if I am not quite
certain about things. He said a great while ago that it was the safest
way. I mean I am on my honor about it, that's all. He never asks me."
Betty's cheeks grew red as she spoke, but she did speak bravely, and the
girls were more impressed than ever by the seriousness of the club.

"I don't believe that she will have to tell him, do you, girls?" Lizzie
French insisted. "Any way we want you to belong, Betty. You be the one
to tell her, Mary."

"It is a society to help us not to say things about people," said Mary
Grant solemnly, and Betty Leicester gave a little sigh of relief. She
thought that would be a most worthy object, though somewhat poky.

"We have made a league that we will try to break ourselves of speaking
harshly and making fun of people, and of not standing up for them when
others talk scandal. There, you see this book is ruled into little
squares for the days of the week, a month on a page, and when we get
through a day without saying anything against anyb