Ethel Morton at Chautauqua Part 20

"What I want to do," said Ethel Brown, "is to give a vote of thanks to Dorothy and James and Ethel Blue for making the sandwiches."

"Good idea; they're bully," commended Roger. "I move, Helen, that the people just mentioned be elected official sandwich makers to the club."

"Don't call the president by her name," objected James. "Don't you have parliamentary law in your school?"

"No; plenty without it."

"We do. We have an a.s.sembly every morning--current events and things like that and sometimes a speaker from New York--and one of the scholars presides and we have to do the thing up brown. You wouldn't call Helen 'Helen' there, I can tell you."

"What ought I to say?"

"'Miss President,' or 'Madam President.'"

This was greeted by a howl of joy from Roger.

"'Madam' is good!" he howled, wriggling with delight. "I do know how to put a motion, though. I'll leave it to Ethel Blue if I didn't set her idea on its legs last night by putting through a unanimous vote for Helen for president."

"You did, but you don't seem to be giving the president a chance to call the meeting to order now."

"I apologize, Madam President," and again Roger rolled over in excessive mirth.

"The meeting will come to order, then," began Helen. "Is that right, James?"

"O.K. Go ahead."

"Madam President," said Margaret promptly, "do you think it's necessary for us to be so particular and follow parliamentary law? I think it will be dreadfully stiff and fussy."

"Oh, let's do it, Margaret. I want to learn and you and James know how, so that's a service you can do for me. And Helen ought to know if she's going to be president," Roger urged.

"Here's where you're wrong at the jump-off, old man. You ought not to speak directly to Margaret. You ought to address the chair--that is, Helen."

"What are you doing yourself, then, talking straight to me?"

"Bull's-eye. Margaret was all right, though, Madam President. She addressed the chair. What does the chair think about Margaret's question?"

"I think--the chair thinks--" began Helen, warned by James's amused glance, "that Margaret is right. It won't do us any harm to obey a few parliamentary rules, but if we are too particular it'll be horrid."

"It's a mighty good chance to learn," growled Roger. "I want to make old James useful."

"If you talk that queer way I'll never open my mouth," declared Ethel Blue in a tone of lament.

"Then I move you, Madam President, that we don't do it," said James, "because this club is Ethel Blue's idea and it would be a shame if she couldn't have a say-so in her own club."

"I'm willing to compromise, Helen--Madam President," went on Ethel Blue, giggling; "I say let Roger be parliamentary if he wants to, and the rest of us will be parliamentary or unparliamentary just as we feel like it."

Applause greeted this suggestion, largely from d.i.c.ky, who was glad of the opportunity to make some noise.

"There's a motion before the house, Madam President," reminded James.

"Dear me, so there is. What do I do now?"

"Say, 'Is it seconded?'" whispered James.

"Is it seconded?"

"I second it," came from Margaret.

"It is moved and seconded by the Hanc.o.c.ks that we do not follow parliamentary rules in the United Service Club."

Helen had felt herself getting on swimmingly but at this point she seemed to have come to a wall.

"Are you ready for the question?" prompted James in an undertone.

"Are you ready for the question?" repeated Helen aloud.

"Let her rip," advised Roger.

"All in favor say 'Aye.'"

Margaret and James said "Aye."

"Contrary minded----"

"No," roared Roger.

"No," followed Ethel Blue meekly.

"No," came Ethel Brown in uncertain negative.

Helen didn't know just how to handle this situation.

"Three to two," she counted. "They don't agree," and she turned helplessly toward James.

"Right you are," he acknowledged. "Why don't you ask for Ethel Blue's motion?"

"But I didn't make a motion," screamed Ethel Blue, deeply agitated.

"Same thing; you said you were willing to compromise and let Roger be parliamentary if he wanted to and the rest of us do as we liked."

"I think that's a good way."

"Do you make that motion?" asked Helen, prompted by James.

"Yes, I make that motion," repeated Ethel Blue.

"Hurrah for the lady who said she'd never talk 'that queer way,'"

cheered Roger.

"It isn't so bad when you know how," admitted Ethel Blue.