Margy declared afterward that she thought Fred was going to cry. His face got very red, and for a moment he did not say anything.
“You want me to collect the dues?” he asked, when he did speak. “Dues from you, after I lost all the club money?”
“Don’t be silly,” said Jess, from her corner. “Everybody knows you didn’t lose the bank purposely. We’ve all brought our money, and it’s up to you to collect it.”
And Jess walked over and put a shining new dime in the slit in the bank. Artie followed her.
Never had Fred, in his experience as treasurer, found it so easy to collect dues from the entire membership. Even Ward did not argue, but insisted on paying his dime. And none of them would hear of Fred giving the bank to any one else to take care of, or leaving it in the clubroom.
“You’re the treasurer, and you take care of it,” said Polly. “You suit us, and if we don’t fuss about the money that’s lost I don’t see why you should. Artie, go call the folks to come up.”
The grown-ups came in and sat down in the chairs provided for them. Polly, who was now used to talking “standing up,” as she said, thought it best to explain the purpose of the meeting again.
“This is a special kind of session of the Riddle Club,” she said earnestly. “Instead of forfeits, the ones who fail to guess a riddle must pay money, and the money collected is going to school, to be used for a poor family. But don’t try flunking the riddles, because that isn’t fair.”
“You’d rather have good sportsmanship than a tray full of money, Polly?” asked Mr. Williamson, smiling.
Polly nodded.