e President, "we'll have to elect some more. Any new
names for nomination?"
Names, it seemed, were unflatteringly easy to supply, and were rapidly
put up and voted upon for nomination.
[Illustration: "The three newly elect mounted the stairs to the
Platonian doorway."]
But suddenly a Platonian was upon her feet; she had been counting. The
membership was limited and they had over-stepped that limit. The
nominations were unconstitutional.
The Treasurer, at this, was upon her feet, reading from the
Constitution: "The revenues of said Society may be increased only by
payment of dues by new members"--she paused, and here reminded them that
the Society was in debt.
Discussion waxed hot. A constitution had been looked upon as
invulnerable.
At last a Platonian arose. She called attention to the fact that time
was passing, and moved that the matter be tabled, and the Society
proceed with the programme for the day.
Fiercer discussion ensued at this. "Business before pleasure," said a
sententious member. "What's a programme to a matter concerning the
Constitution itself?"
The sponsor for the motion grew sarcastic. It developed later she was on
the programme. Since the business of the Society was only useful as a
means of conducting the programme, which was the primary object of the
Society's being, she objected to the classing of the programme as
unimportant.
But the programme was postponed. When people begin to handle red tape,
there is always a chance that they get enmeshed in its voluminous
tangles.
It was dark when the Society adjourned. Platonians gave up dinner and
Friday afternoons to the cause, but what Platonian doubted it being
worth it?
Miss MacLauren and Hattie walked home together. At the corner they met a
boy. It was the other boy whose name, as it chanced, was Chester. He
joined them and they walked along together. Something made Miss
MacLauren's cheek quite red; it was her blush when the boy joined them.
A few steps farther on, they met Miss Kilrain, the new teacher at the
High School. It was just as Miss MacLauren was laughing an embarrassed
laugh to hide the blush. Miss Kilrain looked at them coldly, one was
conscious of her disapproval.
Miss Kilrain's name had been up that very afternoon in the Society for
honorary membership. All teachers were made honorary members.
With the Sophomore year, High School pupils had met several new things.
Higher Education was one of them. They me
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