A Daughter of the Rich. Mary Ella Waller
they ain't always easy, that's a fact; but they re mighty good to live by," he added, picking up the bean-bag. "I lived with Ben Blossom's father when I was a little chap as chore boy, 'n' he gave me my schoolin' 'n' clothes; 'n' I 've lived with his son ever since he was married, 'n' he's been the best friend a man could have, 'n' I 've always got along with him in peace and lovin'-kindness; 'n' those four by-laws his father wrote on my boyhood; 'n' by those four by-laws I 've kept my manhood; 'n' so I think it 'll do anybody good to join the Society."
"Well," said Hazel, stoutly, "I 'll show them I 'm not afraid of some things, if I did run away from the turkey-gobbler."
"That's right," said Chi, heartily, "'n' more than that–betwixt you 'n' me–you 've no cause to be scairt whatever they do; now mark my words, whatever they do," repeated Chi, emphatically.
"I don't care what they do so long as you 're there, Chi," said Hazel, looking up into his weather-roughened, deeply-lined face with such utter trust in her great eyes that Chi caught up the bag over his shoulder and hurried out to the barn, muttering to himself:–
"George Washin'ton! How she manages to creep into the softest corner of a man's heart, I don't know; I expect it's those great eyes of hers, 'n' that voice just like a brook winnerin' 'n' gurglin' over its stones in August.–Guess there's luck come to this house with Lady-bird!" And he went about his work.
VII
THE N.B.B.O.O. SOCIETY
"Now, Hazel, we 're ready," said Rose, after the dinner dishes had been washed and the children's time was their own. Hazel submitted meekly to the blindfolding process.
She had tried in vain to find out something of what the children intended to do, but they were too clever for her to gain the smallest hint as to the initiation. March had been busy in the ice-house, and Cherry had been ironing the aprons for the family,–that was her Saturday morning duty. Budd and the St. Bernard puppy were off with Chi in the fields.
Rose led her through the woodshed and out of doors–Hazel knew that by the rush of soft air that met her face–and away, somewhither. At last she was helped to climb a ladder; Chi's hand grasped hers, and she felt the flooring under her feet. Then she was left without support of any kind, not daring to move with Chi's story in her thoughts.
"Guess we 'll have the roll-call first," said Chi, solemnly. There was not a sound to be heard except now and then a rush of wings and the twitter of swallows.
"Molly Stark."
"Here," said Rose.
"Markis de Lafayette."
"Here," from March.
"Marthy Washin'ton."
"Present," said Cherry, forgetting she was not in school. Budd snickered, and the president called him to order.
"Fine of two cents for snickerin' in meetin'." Budd looked sober.
"Ethan Allen."
"Here," said Budd, in a subdued voice.
"Old Put,–Here," said Chi, addressing and answering himself. "Now, Markis, read the by-laws."
"Number One.–We pledge ourselves not to be afraid to tell the truth."
"Number Two.–We pledge ourselves to be afraid to tell a lie.
"Number Three.–We pledge ourselves to try to help others whenever we can, wherever we can, however we can, as long as ever we can.
"Number Four.–We, as American boys and girls, pledge ourselves never to play the coward nor to disgrace our country."
"Molly Stark, unfurl the flag," said Chi.
Hazel heard a rustle as Rose unrolled the banner of soft red, white, and blue cambric.
"Put Old Glory round the candidate's shoulders," commanded the president, and Hazel felt the soft folds being draped about her.
"There now, Lady-bird, you 're dressed as pretty as you 're ever goin' to be; it don't make a mite of difference whether you 're the Empress of Rooshy, or just plain every-day folks; 'n' now you 've got that rig on, we 're ready to give you the hand of fellowship. Markis, you have the floor."
"What name does the candidate wish to be known by?" asked March, with due gravity; then, forgetting his role, he added, "You must take the name of some woman who has been just as brave as she could be."
Hazel, feeling the folds of the flag about her, suddenly recalled her favorite poem of Whittier's.
"Barbara Frietchie," she said promptly and firmly.
The various members shouted and cheered themselves hoarse before order was restored.
"What'd I tell you, Budd?" said Chi, triumphantly; then there was another shout, for Chi had broken the rules in speaking thus.
"Two cents' fine!" shouted Budd, "for speaking out of order in meeting."
"Sho! I forgot," said Chi, humbly; "well, proceed."
"Do you, Barbara Frietchie, pledge yourself to try to keep these by-laws?"
"Yes," said Hazel, but rather tremulously.
"Well, then, we 'll put you to the test. Molly Stark will extend the first hand of fellowship to Barbara Frietchie–No, hold out your hand, Hazel; way out–don't you draw it back that way!"
"I did n't," retorted Hazel.
"Yes, you did, I saw you!"
"You didn't, either."
"I did."
"You did n't."
"I did, too."
"He did n't, did he, Chi?" said Hazel, furious at this charge of apparent timidity.
"I don't believe you drew it back even if March does think he saw you," said Chi, pouring oil both ways on the troubled waters; "'n' I never thought 't was just the thing for a boy to tell a girl she was a coward before she'd proved to be one–specially if he belongs to this Society."
The Marquis de Lafayette hung his head at this rebuke; but in the action his cocked hat of black and gilt paper lurched forward and drew off with it his white cotton-wool wig. Budd and Cherry, forgetting all rules, fines, and sense of propriety, rolled over and over at the sight; Rose sat down shaking with laughter, and even Chi lost his dignity.
"I wish you would let me see, or do something," said Hazel, plaintively, when she could make herself heard.
"'T ain't fair to keep Hazel waiting so," declared Budd, and the president called the meeting to order again.
"Put out your hand, Hazel," said Rose. "Now shake."
Hazel grasped a hand, cold, deathly cold, and clammy. The chill of the rigid fingers sent a corresponding shiver down the length of her backbone, and the goose-flesh rose all over her arms and legs. She thought she must shriek; but she recalled Chi's words, set her teeth hard, and shook the awful thing with what strength she had, never uttering a sound.
"Bully for you, Hazel! I knew you 'd show lots of pluck," cried Budd.
"Got grit every time," said Chi, proudly. "Now let's have the other test and get down to business. Guess all three of you 'll have to have a finger in this pie. Hurry up, Marthy Washin'ton!" Cherry scuttled down the ladder, and in a few minutes labored, panting, up again.
"What did you bring two for?" demanded Budd.
"'Cause March said 't would balance me better on the ladder," replied Cherry, innocently. At which explanation Chi laughed immoderately, much to Cherry's discomfiture.
"Now, Hazel, roll up your sleeve and hold out your bare arm," said the Marquis. Hazel obeyed, wondering what would come next.
"Here, Budd, you hold it; all ready, Cherry?"
"Ye-es–wait a minute; now it's all right."
"This we call burning in the Society's brand,–N.B.B.O.O.;" the voice of the Marquis was solemn, befitting the occasion.
Hazel drew her breath sharply, uncertain whether to cry out or not. There was a sharp sting across