Bess laughed. “That’s really what I came for, to prettify it a little. It seemed such a pity not to have anything bright and attractive on the walls, 74 so I made this at odd minutes. Do you all like it? I was going to put it up and surprise you.”
She unrolled a big parcel she carried and the others, crowding around to see, looked upon a beautifully illuminated motto:
“God be thanked for books.”
“Bess, you are an inspired angel,” cried Polly, while Catherine gave her a squeeze which was meant to express pleasure and also compunction for more than one reflection that Bess was not doing her share for the library.
“And here comes another,” exclaimed Agnes, running to open the door for Dorcas, staggering under the weight of a great armful of golden glow.
“Dorcas, you must have taken every stalk you had!”
“Well, and whose business is it, I’d like to know?” asked Dorcas briskly and justly. Polly shrugged her shoulders, but helped Bertha to find receptacles for the bright flowers, continuing to exclaim over their beauty, in spite of Dorcas’ apparent indifference. It had not been Algernon alone who had been misunderstood at the beginning of the library campaign in Winsted. The flowers arranged effectively, and the motto given a place where it could be read from all parts of the room, the workers trudged off to their respective homes to make elaborate toilets before the “party” should begin.
Seven o’clock found the lamps lighted inside 75 the little building, and Japanese lanterns making the freshly-mown weed patch a festive place, with little tables set for the ice-cream and cake which were to be served from the shed, leaving the library proper, clean and crumbless. Bess and Winifred, with their attendant squires, were to act as Mrs. Graham’s lieutenants outside, and the other members of the club were variously on duty within. Dr. Helen assisted Algernon and the school superintendent in receiving–an unsectarian combination warranted to disturb no prejudice. Bertha, with a book and pen, was ready at the reading-table to receive and register gifts. Catherine sat at Algernon’s desk to issue cards, and take in the annual fee of fifty cents. The other girls and boys were “floating,” ready to entertain the guests, to explain the whole scheme, and see to it that every one was invited to the lawn for “light refreshments and ice-cream” as the Courier had announced.
The fathers and mothers of the Boat Club were early arrivals, looking with proud amused eyes upon their spotless sons and daughters in their disinterested public zeal. First of all came Mrs. Swinburne in a long black net gown elaborately spangled, her hair coquettishly arranged in a Janice Meredith curl, several years out of date, a slender ivory-sticked fan, somewhat broken, swaying from her belt by a long ribbon. She plainly felt that her entrance should excite attention 76 and was by no means disappointed. Dot and Polly took her in charge and stood by with grave courteous faces while she gave Bertha her contribution, wrapped up in tissue paper and white ribbon.
“It’s a copy of The Ring and The Book I got for Elsmere’s Christmas last year. I wanted so to read it. I am devoted to Byron. But Algernon gave me the Complete Works, so that I felt I could give this away to advantage. It is a little damaged. The dear child uses his books to build stables with, but I knew that the public would not mind.”