It was only a suggestion, but did it appeal to the talent she recognised before her, they could bear in mind that she stood ready to a.s.sist them, with the advice and counsel of one experienced in the work.
Going down stairs, Miss Kilrain put her arm about one of the girls, and said it was a thing she admired, an earnest young spirit. The girl was Rosalie, who blushed and looked embarra.s.sed.
That meeting was the last of the Platonian gatherings that might be called personally conducted. The Platonians hardly knew whether they wanted a paper or not, when they found themselves full in the business of making one. Miss Kilrain was the head and front of things. She marshalled her forces with the air of one who knows what she wants. Her forces were that part of the Society which had voted against the Debate.
Miss Kilrain was one of those who must lead, at something; if she could not be leader on the rostrum, she descended to the ranks.
Miss MacLauren was deeply interested, and felt she had a right to be, for these things, newspapers and such, were in her family. Considering her recognised literary qualifications, she even had secret aspirations toward a position on the staff. On a sc.r.a.p of paper in cla.s.s she had surrept.i.tiously tried her hand on a tentative editorial, after this fashion:
"It is our desire to state at the start that this paper does not intend to dabble in the muddy pool of politics."
Miss MacLauren heartily indorsed the proposed paper, and like Miss Kilrain, felt that it would be a proper field for unused talent.
But her preference for a staff position was not consulted. Rosalie, however, became part of that body. Rosalie was a favourite with Miss Kilrain. Hattie, the hitherto shining light, was detailed to secure subscribers; was this all that honours in Algebra, Latin, and Chemistry could do for one?
Miss MacLauren found herself on a committee for advertis.e.m.e.nts. By means of advertis.e.m.e.nts, Miss Kilrain proposed to make the paper pay for itself.
The treasurer, because of a proper anxiety over this question of expenditure, was chairman; in private life the treasurer was Lucy--Lucy Berry.
"Write to this address," said Miss Kilrain to the committee, giving them a slip of paper. "I met one of the firm when he was in the city last week to see a friend of mine, Professor Bryan, on business." Miss Kilrain, always gave the details of her private happenings to her listeners. "Just mention my name in writing, and say I told you to ask for an advertis.e.m.e.nt."
The Chairman gave the slip to Miss MacLauren to attend to. Miss MacLauren had seen the name before on all the new text-books this year introduced into the High School.
"How will I write this?" Emmy Lou inquired of Uncle Charlie that night.
"This letter to the International School Book Company?"
"What"s that?" asked Uncle Charlie.
Emmy Lou explained.
Uncle Charlie looked interested. "Here to see Professor Bryan, was he?
H"m. Moving against Koenig faster even than I predicted."
Miss Kilrain had instructed her committee further as to what to do.
"You meet me on Sat.u.r.day," said Lucy to Emily, "and we will do Main Street together."
She met Lucy on Sat.u.r.day. Lucy had a list of places.
"You--you"re chairman," said Emmy Lou, "you ask----"
It was at the door of the first place on the list, a large, open doorway, and it and the sidewalk were blocked with boxes and hogsheads and men rolling things into drays.
Lucy and Emmy Lou went in; they went on going in, back through a lane between sacks and things stacked high; it was dark and cellar-like, and smelled of sugar and mola.s.ses. At last they reached a gla.s.s door, which was open. Emmy Lou stopped and held back, so did Lucy.
"You--you"re chairman--" said Emmy Lou. It was mean, she felt it was mean, she never felt meaner.
Lucy went forward; she was pretty, her cheeks were bright and her hair waved up curly despite its braiding. She was blushing.
A lot of men were at desks, dozens of men it seemed at first, though really there were four, three standing, one in his shirt sleeves. They looked up.
The fourth man was in a revolving chair; he was in shirt sleeves, too, and had a cigar in his mouth; his face was red, and his hat was on the back of his head.
"Well?" said the man, revolving just enough to see them. He looked cross.
Lucy explained. Her cheeks were very red now.
At first the man was testy, he did not seem to understand.
Lucy"s cheeks were redder, so Emmy Lou came forward, thinking she might make it plainer. She was blushing, too. They both explained; they both gazed at the man eagerly while they explained; they both looked pretty, but then they did not know that.
The man wheeled round a little more and listened. Then he got up. He pushed his hat back and scratched his head and nodded as he surveyed them. Then he put a hand in pocket and pursed his lips as he looked down on them.
"And what am I to get, if I give you the advertis.e.m.e.nt?" asked the man.
He was smiling jocosely, and here he pinched Lucy"s cheek playfully between a thumb and forefinger.
Emmy Lou had kept her wits. She carried much paraphernalia under her arm. Miss Kilrain had posted them thoroughly as to their business.
"And what, then, do I get?" repeated the man.
Emmy Lou was producing a paper. "A receipt," said Emmy Lou.
The man shouted. So did the other men.
Emmy Lou and Lucy were bewildered.
"It"s worth the price," said the man. He promised them the advertis.e.m.e.nt, and walked back through the cellar-like store with them to the outer door.
"Come again," said the man.
On the way to the next place they met Emmy Lou"s Uncle Charlie. It was near his office. He was a pleasant person to meet downtown, as it usually meant a visit to a certain alluring candy-place. He was feeling even now in his change pocket as he came up.
"How now," said he; "and where to?"
Emmy Lou explained. She had not happened to mention this part about the paper at home.
"What?" said Uncle Charlie, "you have been--Say that over again----"
Emmy Lou said it over again.
No more advertis.e.m.e.nts were secured that morning. No more were solicited. Emmy Lou found herself going home with a lump in her throat.
Uncle Charlie had never spoken to her in that tone before.
Lucy had gone on to her father"s store, as Uncle Charlie had suggested she ask permission before she seek business farther.
There were others of Uncle Charlie"s way of thinking. On Monday the Platonians were requested to meet Professor Koenig in his office.
Professor Koenig was kindly but final. He had just heard of the paper and its methods. He had aimed to conduct his school on different lines.
It was his request that the matter be dropped.
Miss Kilrain was indignant. She was excited; she was excited and unguarded. Miss Kilrain said more, perhaps, than she realised.