This afternoon the election of officers would take place.
Afterwards Cecil planned certain sports that would test the courage and initiative of each member.
There were no shade trees on the newly made lawn, but several large, gaily striped green-and-white umbrellas had been set up beside each other with chairs and circular tables beneath.
Cecil and Eric Lawton bore around slips of paper and pencils for the choosing of the president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer of the new society.
Peter Stevens wandered down from the veranda with Mrs. Perry in order personally to count the slips.
Martha Putnam, one of Jeanette's closest friends, leaned over to whisper:
"It would not surprise me, Jeanette, if you were chosen president instead of one of the boys. Do you know there was an informal discussion the other day, after you had won the racing contest, to award you the silver arrow. No one of us will succeed in doing anything so thrilling as winning a riding contest. I never dreamed you would win, Jeanette. Really, I never have been so proud of any one!"
Martha laughed.
"My family is annoyed; I have talked of nothing else since. We held another conference and concluded that it was too soon to bestow the silver arrow on any one of us, as the club had never been actually organized and we had no officers. We have always planned to ask several grown persons to assist us when we make the final decision.
"Isn't Mr. Stevens about to announce who has been elected president?"