Miss Gordon lined up the girls and had them march single file onto the platform. In their pinchecked uniforms, each with a jaunty little brown beanie, they looked very nice indeed.
Mr. McLean then made a speech, telling the girls how grateful Rosedale was for their efforts in making the cherry festival a success.
The Brownies wanted to tell him that it had not been work at all—only good fun. However, with so many persons looking at them, they were a trifle embarrassed.
“Accept this plaque as a token of the city’s appreciation,” the Chamber of Commerce president resumed. He held up a large bronze badge in the shape of a cherry blossom. “The name of the Rosedale Brownie Troop will be engraved upon it.”
Mr. McLean waited for one of the girls to step forward. No one wanted to do it. Eileen nudged Jane and Jane nudged Veve who gave Connie a little push. So she had to take the plaque.
“Thank you so much, Mr. McLean,” she said, speaking as well as if she had planned her speech. “In behalf of the Brownie organization, may I say that we deeply appreciate the honor? We’ll do our best to bring credit to Rosedale!”
“You’ll do it too!” approved Mr. McLean. “We couldn’t have chosen a better set of queens if we had scoured three counties! On to Washington!”
You may be certain that the Chamber of Commerce president’s words made the Brownies very happy and proud.
At a signal from Miss Gordon, they all raised their hands in the Brownie salute and stood for a moment at attention.
“Hurrah for the Brownies!” shouted the crowd.