“Candidate!” repeated the leading voice, “you have been taught the leading object of our existence as a society. What is it?”
Without hesitation now, the candidate replied: “Helpfulness.”
“It is right. And now, what do our initials stand for?”
“Sweetbriar,” replied the shaking voice of the candidate.
“True. That is what our initials stand for to the world at large–to those who are not initiated into the mysteries of the S. B.’s. But those letters may stand for many things and it is my privilege to explain to you now that they likewise are to remind us all of two virtues that each Sweetbriar is expected to practice–to be sincere and to befriend. Remember! Sincerity–Befriend. Remember!”
Again the chorus of mysterious voices chanted: “Remember!”
“And now let the light shine upon the face of the candidate, that the Shrouded Sisterhood may know her where’er they meet her. Once! Twice! Thrice! Light!”
At the cry the ray of a spot-light flashed out of the gloom at the far end of the long room and played glaringly upon the face and figure of the candidate. She herself was more blinded by the glare than she had been by the bandage. There was a rustle and movement in the room, and the leading voice went on:
“Sisters! the novice is now revealed to us all. She has now entered into the outer circle of the Sweetbriars. Let her know us, where’er she meets us, by our rallying cry. Once! Twice! Thrice! Now!”
Instantly, and in unison, the members chanted the following “yell”: