“My sympathy is with Fred,” Mrs. Larue declared. “I’ve been treasurer, Fred, and I know what it is to have to send bills out three times for one collection. If I had to go and ask verbally for the money—well, I don’t believe there would be much money collected in our organization.”
“Oh, we always pay our dues,” said Ward, easily.
“Yes, you pay ’em—after I’ve made myself hoarse asking you,” Fred exploded.
“Dear me, I think we’d better go on with the meeting,” said Polly, wishing that Margy had never mentioned the subject of dues.
“All right—I’m ready,” announced Jess. “I asked Margy a riddle: ‘What word will, if you take away the first letter, make you sick?’ But Margy used up her first guess—she thought it was mince pie.”
“I didn’t really think it was mince pie,” explained Margy, carefully. “I just said that because I was in a hurry.”
“Then do you want another guess?” asked Polly. “She may have another one, Jess, the knocking at the door did hurry her.”
Jess was willing, so Margy tried again.
“If I could spell, I wouldn’t mind,” said Margy, after thinking deeply for a moment. “Is the word pill?”
Most of the Riddle Club members thought Margy had guessed it. Polly knew the answer, but the boys were sure Margy had the right word. They were surprised to see Jess shake her head.