While Nancy was trying to control her lips so that she could say something, Davy added proudly, "I wrote 'em."
"They're—splendid! But why in the world should the other boys have to sneak away?"
"Liz says folks don't think a Hopworth's good 'nough. I guess no one thinks a feller oughta have any fun, either. Liz don't. I wait 'til she cleans the meetin' house—ev'ry Monday and after there's socials and things. We sneak. Jim and Dick get a lickin' if they get caught," Davy explained without the slightest embarrassment.
Nancy's indignation was sincere. "What a shame! I wish I was a boy, I'd join your club in a moment. Why, you can do so many things down there—drill and—swim, can't you? And have jolly fires and roast potatoes and weiners and corn?"
"Gee—I wish you were a boy."
"Why, can't I join anyway?" cried Nancy, inspired. "Some clubs have honorary members who do nice things for them. Can't I?"
Davy did not know what an "honorary member" was, and an instinct trained to suspicion warned him now.
"Girls ain't any fun."
"Oh, some girls aren't, I know! But I'm a lot like a boy. I can swim half a mile—I've done it! I can play ball, too and—and—why I won a medal for a high pole-vault! I'll bet I can beat you right now in a race!"
Davy regarded her with wide eyes.