It is quite true that the pretentious bearing of the club members was very keenly felt by many of the girls, and by some of them was bitterly resented. Toward no one was a supercillious manner more visibly displayed than quiet little Annis Brown, who, however, never by word or look gave evidence that she noticed it.
A vote had been carried by a majority of the club which provided for a rule prohibiting the members from visiting certain girls in the school, Annis among others. The Holmes girls, to their credit, were among those who voted against this high-handed measure, and Persis hotly protested, threatening to send in her resignation if the rule should be enforced; and there promised to be rupture in the camp.
“I’d like to see any one choose my companions for me. My mother is the only one who has a right to do that,” Persis angrily declared. And in open defiance she became a frequent visitor at Annis Brown’s.
Annis lived in one of the unfashionable streets of the city. Her mother was a widow whose small means were eked out by the taking of boarders; and from Audrey’s stand-point this was sufficient cause for ostracising little Annis. She regarded the quiet, unassuming little girl as far beneath her, and treated her accordingly. Persis, with her generous promptings, had always been specially kind to Annis, and now declared openly that she was the nicest girl in school. The club was in a state of great agitation. To ask Persis to resign meant offence to Lisa and Mellicent, who were far too important members to slight. To disregard Persis’s action meant the sapping of the very foundations of club discipline, and therefore there were whispers and glances, retreats and advances, for two or three weeks, Persis, meantime, growing more and more devoted to Annis.
“I don’t see how your sister can be so very democratic,” ventured Audrey to Mellicent. “I should think she would have more consideration for you and Lisa.”
“Persis doesn’t care,” replied Mellicent, plaintively. “She is always that way. If she thinks a thing is right you might as well try to move a mountain. She will give up every one before she does Annis. You see if she doesn’t.”
“Well, I think it is a shame for her to upset everything in this way,” complained Audrey, almost in tears.
Persis, however, gloated over the trouble she was causing, and on the day before the meeting which was to decide the action of the club regarding her defiance of rules she walked off with Annis after school, laughing at Audrey’s look of dismay and Lisa’s stern disapproval.
“I wish you would try your influence upon Persis,” the latter said to her mother. “I think it is a shame for her to act so. I am sure, mamma, you, who are always so particular about our acquaintances, must see that Persis is at fault.”
“Let Persis alone,” returned Mrs. Holmes. “She is doing nothing wrong.”