"or any of those old
'worshipful companies' that meet and have big dinners and enjoy
themselves."

"What do the Freemasons do?" enquired Lennie. "I thought their meetings
were dead secrets."

"So they are; but sometimes they have processions through the streets,
and carry banners. We might have a banner, and wear badges."

The idea of a banner appealed to the girls, who set to work with the
greatest enthusiasm to make one. It was designed by Fiona Campbell, and
carried out by a committee of six, chosen for their skill in needlework.
It had a cream-coloured ground, on which was a bold pattern, in
applique, of pink briar roses with green leaves, meant as a delicate
compliment to Briarcroft. In the centre, in large green letters, was the
motto chosen by the Guild: "United we Stand". It was decided at a
special meeting that every member must wear a briar rose for a badge,
and as real wild roses seemed too perishable to be of much use, an extra
committee undertook to construct a sufficient quantity of artificial
ones out of crinkled paper. Officers were to wear pale pink sashes, tied
over the right shoulder and under the left arm, and a wreath of pink
roses round their hats. The form of ceremony for the occasion was
entrusted to Gipsy's fertile brain, for nobody else felt equal to
inventing it. These preparations naturally absorbed all the energies of
the Lower School. Many willing hands set to work to make paper flowers,
copying a very pretty specimen of a briar rose twisted by the drawing
mistress out of pink crinkled paper, with a most natural-looking green
leaf, and secured with fine wire.

Gipsy, who wished the affair to be a great day in the annals of the
Juniors, kept adding fresh items to her ceremonial programme till she
made a list that filled her with satisfaction. There was nothing she
loved so dearly as inventing entertainments, and this festival gave her
just the opportunity for which she longed. As organizing secretary she
was allowed full powers of administration, so she picked out her
performers, called rehearsals, and arranged every detail with scrupulous
care and attention.

The school picnic had generally been held on Saturdays, but thinking the
castle would be more free from visitors on a Friday, Miss Poppleton had
granted a special half-holiday for the purpose. Most fortunately the day
turned out to be fine, and by two o'clock seventy-four excited Juniors
were waiting for the arrival of the wagon