Jerry was thankful that his only part in the May Day festival was to help seat the parents. And that all he had to wear different from usual was an armband. Jerry's mind was not on the May Day exercises. He had something far more important to think about. Today was the day he had so long looked forward to. Today he would pay the bill at Bartlett's store. The store wouldn't be open early enough so he could tend to it before school, but the minute he could get away from the May Day exercises that afternoon he would race to Mr. Bullfinch's, get the money from the grandfather clock, and go pay the bill. Thinking of the candy that would then be presented to him made Jerry grin.
"You're looking mighty pleased with yourself this morning, Jerry," said his mother, passing him the bacon.
"Who? Me? It's Cathy who's the big shot today. Hi, Queenie! You feeling squeamy?" he teased his sister. "Won't you look like something—all dressed up like a circus horse, with a tinfoil crown on your head? Yes, your majesty. No, your majesty. After this you'll expect everybody to bow down to you. Not me. I'm not forgetting this is a democracy."
"All I hope is that you won't do anything at the exercises that will disgrace the family," said Cathy.
"Call me a disgrace to the family, do you? Well, I like that."
"There isn't time for you two to squabble. You should be leaving for school in less than five minutes," said Mrs. Martin.
"I won't say a word if Cathy'll leave me alone," said Jerry.
"I leave you alone! Why it was you who started—"
"I don't care who started what. It's finished," said Mrs. Martin with firmness.
Jerry gave Cathy a mocking smile. He was really proud that she had been chosen May Queen. He would never let on to her all the votes he had rounded up for her. Not Jerry. He kept it a dark secret that he thought her the prettiest girl in their class. No need of making her more stuck on her looks than she already was.