Page:The secret play (1915).djvu/120

 of censure, and Lanny was moved to a defense of his sex.

"We have more things to spend our money on than you girls," he said. "Besides, there are more girls than boys in school, Nell."

"Only about ten," said Louise severely, tapping her teeth with the tip of her brother's fountain pen. "We've just got to get some more money."

"Let's have a fair," suggested May, and Grace Lovering, who had not contributed to the discussion, clapped her hands.

"Let's!" she said. "We could easily make twenty dollars, Louise!"

"Fairs are no earthly use," was the reply. "Not when you really want to make anything. It always costs nearly as much as you take in to get ready. We'd have to make things or get folks to give us things to sell, and there isn't time. We might—might have an entertainment, though."

"There isn't time for that, either," said Morris. "Besides, no one would come."

At that moment Lanny, who had been thoughtfully silent for a minute, said: "I think I've got it, folks, but you'll have to give me a day or two to mull it over. No questions, please!"