“O, you must write on the seat by the side of you,—or on this book; here is a book for one.”
“I can write on my cap,” said James; and he placed his cap upon his knees, and began to use that for a desk. One of the children took the book, and others leaned over to one side, and put their papers upon the seat, and prepared to write there. Some began to write very soon. Others looked around mysteriously, considering which one of the company would make the best president. Henry stood up by the great work bench, and made that his writing-desk; keeping a sharp look-out all the time lest Rollo should see what he should write. And thus the children prepared their votes for president.
When the votes were all ready, the children brought them all together to Mary, who put them on the corner of the great bench near which she was standing; and the children all came up around them, to see who was chosen.
But Mary gently put her hand over the votes, and told them that that was not the way to count votes. “You must all go and sit down again,” she said, “and appoint some one to count them; and then he or she must come alone, and look them over and tell you who is chosen.”
“Well,” said the children; and so they went back to their seats.
“I propose that Henry count them,” said Mary.
“Well,” said the children.
“No, let James,” said Rollo.
“That is not right, Rollo,” said Mary, “because it is of very little consequence who counts the votes, and in societies the best way is to let things that are of little consequence go according to the first proposal. That saves time.”
So Henry came up, and began to look over the votes.