“There, now you have done it!” exclaimed Edith, “and I can tell you one thing, you may just as well make up your mind to put my things back where you got them, ’cause I’m not going to,” and she wagged her head positively.
“Oh, dear me, this is what comes of trying to be a P. U. L.,” said Ruth.
“A P. U. L.?” asked Toinette. “What in the world is that?”
“That’s what it is! I found it stuck up in my room when I got back from recitations to-day. I’ve been in such a tear of a hurry for the last few mornings that my room hasn’t been quite up to the mark, I suppose, but Miss Preston never said a word, and now here’s this thing stuck here.”
Toinette took the sheet of paper which Ruth handed to her, and began to read:
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THE PICK-UP LEAGUE Do you wish to join the P. U. L.? Then listen to this, but don’t you tell, For it’s a great secret, and will be—well— We hope, as potent as “book and bell.” A P. U. L. has a place for her hat, And keeps it there; O wonder of that! Her gloves are put away in their case; Her coat hung up with a charming grace. School-books and papers are laid away, To be quickly found on the following day. Then, ere she starts, so blithe and gay, She tarries a moment just to say: “Wait, just a jiff, while I stop to put This blessed gown on its proper hook, And tuck this ‘nightie’ snugly from sight Under my pillow for to-night. “And all these little, kinky hairs, Which, though so frail, can prove such snares, And furnish some one a chance to say: ‘Your comb and brush were not cleaned to-day.’ “Hair ribbons, trinkets, scraps and bits, Papers and pencils and torn snips, Left scattered about can prove such pits! And in we tumble, and just ‘catch fits.’ “And this is the reason we formed the league, And will keep its rules, you had better believe: To keep our rooms tidy, to keep things neat, So much that is ‘bitter’ may be turned ‘sweet.’” |
“DO YOU WISH TO JOIN THE P. U. L.?”