"We may not make enough," said Louise, "but that ought not to keep us from trying to help."
"If we could only give them the money for a Christmas gift," said Dora.
"I don't see how you could manage that, but a New Year's gift would be almost as good, would it not?" asked Miss Brown.
"There is Ikey now! I'll call to him to find the other boys and bring them over." Dora rapped on the window-pane with her knitting needle as she spoke.
Ikey, who had just vaulted over a hitching-post on his way down the street, came to a sudden halt.
"Find Carl and Aleck, and bring them here, that's a good boy; we want to consult you about something," she called.
He obeyed with soldierly promptness and was across the street in a second. A few minutes later Louise announced, "Here they come, and Aunt Zélie with them."
"I am one of the boys now, you know," said Mrs. Howard as she entered. "How cosey you look! I believe I should like to join your club too."
"Oh, do! Please do, Mrs. Howard!" came in a chorus from the M.Ks. as she sat down in the midst of them.
"We'll talk about that another time; at present we have something else to discuss. Sit down, boys, and listen while the girls tell you what they want. I already know about it."