“Has any one accused you of reciting this afternoon?” her brother Billy asked.
“Nor will I!” Kitty exclaimed.
“Listen—everybody!” Billy jumped up on to one of the benches. “Let’s take a vote on it—here and now! Supposing—which the fates forbid!—Monsieur Hugo should again—present himself in the capacity of substitute for Mademoiselle, will the class cut class in a body?—or will it not?”
“It will!” one of his mates answered promptly.
For a few moments confusion reigned supreme; then one of the older boys, deposing Billy, not too gently, succeeded in getting the attention of the rest. “It is hereby resolved, and so forth,” he said. “Those in favor—kindly signify in the usual manner! The ayes have it! Majority rules.”
“Oh, dear,” one of the girls said anxiously, “I hope he doesn’t come again.”
“I don’t,” Kitty insisted, “I’d just like to show him—”
“But,” Blue Bonnet said, as the club members went downstairs together—all except Sarah and Amanda, “wouldn’t it be a great deal simpler to go tell Mr. Hunt that you didn’t want that Monsieur Hugo again?”
Kitty stopped to stare at her. “Bless the child’s ignorance! I’d like to see any of us doing it!”
“I wouldn’t mind—truly,” Blue Bonnet answered.