There could be no doubt as to the interest in the G.N.C. as the boys
had begun to call it. On Friday night six eager faces greeted Mrs.
Howard when she entered the star chamber, and there was an amiable
scramble for the honor of giving her a chair.
"First we'll have reports and then begin work; that is, if you have
decided that you like the plan." As she spoke she looked at Jim, who
was nearest.
He had entirely recovered from his bashfulness, and was feeling rather
well pleased with himself, so he answered promptly:
"I am not sure I understand it, Mrs. Howard, but I have thought of one
thing. I suppose you would not call it being a good neighbor to go
about on Hallowe'en as lots of boys do, carrying off gates and doing
other mischief. I have done it myself, and I never thought there was
much harm in it, but I suppose there is." He was astonished himself at
this honest conclusion.
Mrs. Howard smiled. "Stopping to think makes such a difference," she
said. "I should be sorry indeed to believe that any of you boys could
take part in some of the wild pranks that are often played on
Hallowe'en. My brother had a valuable young tree destroyed last night.
Boys do such things for fun, they say, but it doesn't seem honest to
make other people pay so dearly for their fun.
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