“But that was quite different,” urged Kitty. “This is for charity—a noble cause. I’d just as lieve go round with a basket, and collect things for them.”
“Not literally a basket, my child,” advised Mr. Mortimer, “but surely it would do no harm to ask contributions from the people you know well.”
“I’ll tell you what!” exclaimed King. “Let the whole Jinks Club do it. We never have done anything charitable in the Club, and this is a good time to begin.”
“Well,” said Marjorie, “I think it would be fine. But let’s go and ask Mrs. Adams about it first. I guess she’s at the head of the Poor Society, and she’ll tell us what to do.”
So, after breakfast, the three Maynard “Jinkses” started out. They gathered in Delight on the way, and while the girls went to Dorothy’s house, King ran over for Flip Henderson.
Mrs. Adams not only approved their plan, but offered to loan a big wagon, a pair of horses, and a driver to transport any furniture or clothing that might be donated.
Then such fun as the Jinks Club had! They called on everybody they knew, and some that they didn’t know. They collected a fine lot of second-hand furniture, and clothing, as well as a liberal supply of provisions. Two or three kind-hearted people donated coal and wood; and though many of the contributors sent their gifts themselves, yet some had no means of doing so, and Mrs. Adams’ wagon carried many loads to the cottage on Spruce Street.
The Maynards went home to luncheon, jubilant.
“Such fun!” they cried, as they bounded in at the front door. “We’ve loads of things already in the house, and what do you think, Miss Larkin—the bureau that Mrs. Chester gave, exactly fits my bureau cover! Isn’t that fine?”
So enthusiastic were the children at luncheon, that Miss Larkin and Mrs. Mortimer were interested before they knew it.