“The principal was telling us this morning in assembly, Mother,” said Fred, “that there is a family in River Bend who is just about starving to death. The town is going to take care of them, but there are six children in the family and they want to give them a real Christmas. The day before school closes they’re going to take up a collection.”
“And I suppose you want me to tell you and Margy how to earn some money,” said Mrs. Williamson, smiling.
“No, I have a new scheme,” said Fred. “We’re going to have a session of the Riddle Club before Christmas. I haven’t had a chance to talk this over with Polly yet, but I thought it would be fine if we had an open meeting and asked the fathers and mothers to come. The way you did in camp this summer, you know.”
“I don’t see what that has to do with the Christmas collection,” said Margy, who was listening.
“It has a lot to do with it,” Fred retorted. “I thought that, instead of paying forfeits when Mother and the others missed a riddle, they could pay money, and we could give the money to the poor children. And if we missed riddles, we’d pay, too.”
“Why, Fred, I like that plan very much,” said his mother. “I’m sure Polly will like it, too. Tell her as soon as you can, so you’ll all have time to study up hard riddles.”
“You won’t mind not being able to guess them, will you, Mother?” laughed Margy. “You like to help people along.”
When Mr. Williamson heard of this plan, he was even more enthusiastic than his wife. He said he had a plan of his own, but that he would keep it a secret till the meeting.
CHAPTER XVIII
A PRACTICAL JOKE
Polly approved of Fred’s plan the moment she heard it; and the Riddle Club members fell upon the riddle books—well-worn by this time—old scrap books, and clippings and even went about among their acquaintances, collecting difficult riddles.