“That is Rule I., and I need not say, Betty, that it is a very important rule.”
Betty’s eyes were now lowered, so that only her very black lashes were seen as they rested against her pale cheeks.
“Rule II. is this:
“‘Rule II.—That the Specialities read each day, for one quarter of an hour, a book of great thoughts.’
“The books are generally selected at the beginning of term, and each member is expected to read the same amount and from the same book. This term, for instance, we occupy one quarter of an hour daily in reading Jeremy Taylor’s ‘Holy Living.’ It is not very long, but there’s a vast amount of thought in it. If we feel puzzled about anything in this wonderful book we discuss it with each other at the next meeting of the Specialities, and if, after such a discussion, the whole matter does not seem quite clear, we ask Mr. Fairfax to help us. He is most kind, although of course he is not in the secret of our club.
“Rule III. is quite different. It is this:
“‘Rule III.—Each day we give ourselves up, every one of us, to real, genuine fun—to having what may be called a jolly time.’
“We never miss this part of the Speciality life. We get our fun either by chatting gaily to each other, or by enjoying the society of a favorite schoolfellow.
“Rule IV. does not come into every day life; nevertheless it is important:
“‘Rule IV.—We meet once a week in one of our bedrooms; but four times during the term we all subscribe together, and get up as big a party as ever we can of girls who are not Specialities. These girls have supper with us, and afterwards we have round games or music or anything that gives us pleasure.’