Paul smoothed down his face as well as he could, and conveyed the motto to the assembled order in the waist.
"I have the honor to inform you that the Grand Protectress has provided a motto," said he.
"What is it?" demanded a dozen.
"It is in French."
"The motto!" called the impatient Faithfuls.
"Vous ne pouvez pas faire un sifflet de la queue d'un cochon."
Only two or three laughed, for only a few were as good French scholars as Paul and Shuffles.
"What's the English of it?" asked several at the same time.
"You must excuse me, for I do not think it is quite proper to translate the motto," replied Paul.
Those who understood it enjoyed the joke too much to afford the others any light on the subject. Haven was delighted with the motto, and moved that it be accepted. As it had been furnished by the Grand Protectress, it was unanimously adopted. The weak scholars were very curious to know the meaning of the mystic words. Most of them could make out a part of the sentence, but not enough to translate it. The business of the meeting was completed, and the members separated, all of them feeling that the mutiny of the Young America was more like a merrymaking than anything else. To be decorated with the white ribbon of the order by a beautiful young lady was a privilege which they appreciated, and all of them were thankful that they had not been led astray by the evil counsels which had prevailed in the steerage.