“Yes; let’s go to see the Rawlins now.”
It was uphill work from the beginning. The two D’s canvassed the whole class, and found the tide of prejudice strongly against Bernice for President. This was no more than they had expected, and they set bravely to work to induce individual members to change their minds.
Moreover the Brown boys declined to help. They were good chums of the two D’s, and they rather liked Bernice, at times, but they didn’t want her for Class President. They were nice about it, but very decided.
So Lollie Henry was the only boy whom they could depend on for assistance. But he was willing to do anything, and expressed an intention of punching the heads of the fellows who refused to do as he advised them.
“Oh, don’t do that, Lollie,” said Dolly, laughing to think what means were being proposed to aid her to gain her point. “Never mind using such strong measures,—just persuade them by argument.”
“You don’t know the fellows as I do, Dolly. They won’t listen to argument, and you just have to punch them. But I’ll do it gently, if you say so.”
“Bribe them,” advised Dotty. “I got Minnie Dorlon over by giving her my fountain pen.”
“Bribery and corruption!” exclaimed Lollie. “That is much worse then punching heads!”
“Oh, all ways are all right, if they work,” Dolly declared. “The little bribes we offer won’t hurt anybody. I’m going to get Celia Ferris’s vote by means of my portfolio.”