"And the dancing class is in the gym. then and no one will notice us."
"We ought to have knives and forks and things like a regular club!"
"And a president and a secretary."
"I ought to be president." Gyp's tone was final.
The other Ravens assented amicably. "Of course you ought to be. And Jerry can be secretary because she helped find this spliffy room."
"Girls, at the next meeting let's each bring a knife, fork, spoon, plate and cup."
"Oh, won't it be fun?" A Raven pirouetted on her toes in a most unparliamentary and unbird-like fashion.
"Pat and I'll bring the eats next Wednesday," declared Peggy. "Some one has to start."
"If we've decided everything we have to decide this meeting's adjourned," and without further formal procedure Gyp summarily brought to an end the first meeting of the Ravens. After a merry half-hour they tiptoed down the secret stairway, George Washington went back into his place on the wall and the eight girls scattered, each to her own home, with hearts that were fairly bursting with excitement.
That evening at the dinner table Gyp, very obviously, made a secret sign to Jerry. She brought one hand, with a little downward, spiral movement, to rest upon the other hand, the first two fingers of each interlocked.