Page:Ruth Fielding at Lighthouse Point.djvu/12

2 close to her ear that she started. "Candidate! you stand before the membership body of the S. B.'s. You are as yet unknown to them and they unknown to you. If you enter the secret association of the S. B.'s you must throw off and despise forever all ties of a like character. Do you agree?"

The candidate obeyed, in so far as she pro her sharply in the ribs and a shrill voice whispered: "Say you do—gump!"

The candidate obeyed, in so far as she proclaimed that she did, at least.

"It is an oath," went on the sepulchral voice. "Remember!"

In chorus the assembly immediately repeated, "Remember!" in solemn tones.

"Candidate!" repeated the leading voice, "you have been taught the leading object of our existence as a society. What is it?"

Without hesitation now, the candidate replied: "Helpfulness."

"It is right. And now, what do our initials stand for?"

"Sweetbriar," replied the shaking voice of the candidate.

"True. That is what our initials stand for to the world at large—to those who are not initiated Into the mysteries of the S. B.'s. But those letters may stand for many things and it is my privi-