tle knitted silk purse she had brought for the
purpose.

"Is there any further business to come before this meeting?" asked the
President, rolling out his words with great dignity, as befitted his
position.

"No, sir," said Kitty; "I'm the committee to decide things, and I say
there isn't any more business. So what do we do next?"

"I'll tell you!" cried Midget, in a sudden burst of inspiration; "let's
go down to Mr. Simmons' and all have ice-cream with our money in the
treasury. I'll ask Mother if we may."

"But, Mopsy!" cried King, in surprise. "I thought we were to save that
to go to the circus."

"Oh, pshaw! Father'll take us to the circus. Or we can save next week's
money for that. But, truly, I feel like cutting up jinks, and we can't
play in the orchard, and it would be lots of fun to go for ice-cream,
all together."

"It would be fun," said Dick; and then they all agreed to Marjorie's
plan.

Mrs. Maynard listened with amusement to the story, and then said they
might go if they would behave like little ladies and gentlemen and
return home inside of an hour.

Off they started, and a more decorous-looking crowd than the Jinks Club
one would not wish to see!

Mr. Simmons' Ice-Cream Garden was a most attractive place.

It was a small grove, by the side of a small stream, and the tables were
in a sort of pavilion that overlooked the water.

The children were welcomed by the good-natured old proprietor, who had
served his ice-cream to their parents when they were children.

"And what kind will you have?" asked Mr. Simmons, after they were seated
around a table.

This required thought, but each finally chose a favorite mixture, and
soon they were enjoying the pink or white pyramids that were brought
them.

"I do think the Jinks Club is lovely," said Kitty, as she gazed out over
the water and contentedly ate her ice-cream.

"So do I," said Dorothy, who always agreed with her adored chum, but
was, moreover, happy on her own account.

"I shall write all this up in the minutes!" declared Dick. "And when
shall we have our next meeting?"

"Next Saturday," said Kitty. "I'm the committee, and I decide things."

"So do I," said Dorothy, and they all agreed to meet the next Saturday
morning.

CHAPTER VIII

SPELLING TROUBLES

"What _is_ the matter, Midge?" said her father, "You sigh as if you'd
lost your last friend."

The family were in the pleasant living-room one evening, just after
dinne