"Mr. Stevens, do please explain I cannot possibly be president. One of the boys should be elected, Cecil, or Eric, not a girl."
She hesitated.
"Besides, I don't expect to be in this neighborhood long. Very soon I hope to go away."
She observed Lina and Via and Eda gazing at her in sheer astonishment.
To them Jeanette's statement was an entire surprise. Certainly there had been no word at home of her intention of leaving.
Jeanette was sorry she had spoken before them instead of first to her father. Perhaps her request would be less readily granted.
"Why, Jeanette, what in the world do you mean? You never have mentioned this at home!" Lina exclaimed, and then was sorry for having spoken.
Jeanette turned upon her a supplicating look, almost as if she were asking aid in some crisis. Why should her sister take so simple a circumstance as her election to the presidency of their new club with such seriousness? She had originated the idea of the club and the silver arrow was actually her own possession. Neither she nor Via nor Eda had dreamed of disputing her right.
Jeanette's conduct made an appeal to the one stranger present.
"Don't allow the child to be troubled. Plainly she does not desire the honor, Peter," Mrs. Perry whispered in her companion's ear.