“Then I’m an ‘elder.’”
“Yes, aunty.”
“Well, I’ll engage a seat.”
“Goody! That will be two cents. We did think of breaking up the club, but this will cheer them up. Wouldn’t it be too bad to give up? Our new silk badges that our teacher promised, we have this week.”
“The shields?”
“Yes, spick and span new.”
“I hope my two cents will encourage them to be good knights.”
“O it will. You will be on hand this afternoon, after school?”
“Certainly.”
After school, Aunt Stanshy was on hand promptly, and she judged by the noises issuing from the barn that all the others were on hand also. She climbed the, stairs and was about stepping into the chamber, when Pip, the assistant sentinel, came forward. He looked very formidable. A scarlet cap was on his head, a white belt tied round his body, and red flannel epaulets decorated his shoulders. He bore a terrible broom, and Aunt Stanshy recalled the fact that it had served as mast for the Neponset.