"Like the old Robin Hood of England."
"Article I. This Society shall be called 'The Arden Foresters,'" read
Maurice. "That will do, won't it?"
"Yes; and then let's put the object. It doesn't come next in this, but we
shan't need so many articles," Rosalind answered, running her finger down
the page of a blue bound book.
The committee appointed to draw up a constitution for The Arden Foresters
had set about it with great seriousness. Their surroundings may have had
something to do with this, for their papers were spread out on the
leather-covered table in the directors' room at the bank, immediately
under the eye of a former president, whose portrait hung over the
mantel-piece, while the large-faced clock on the wall gave forth its
majestic "tick, lock."
The blue book which was serving as a model, Rosalind had found on her
aunt's table, and asked permission to use.
"Well, then, 'Article II. The object of this Society shall be, To remember
the Secret of the Forest; to bear hard things bravely; to search for the
ring--' Anything else?"
"Maurice, that is beautiful. Is there anything else?" Rosalind pressed her
lips with a forefinger.
"Belle wanted to have 'to help the needy,' or something of the kind."
"The down-trodden," said Rosalind, laughing. "I don't like that, do you?"
"Let's wait; we may think of something after a while. Where shall we meet?
That might come next."
"Under the trees at the Gilpin place, and when it rains we can go to
Patricia's Arbor. What fun it would be to have a meeting in the rain!" A
great pattering on the window-pane emphasized Rosalind's remark.
Maurice wrote busily for a minute, looking up to ask, "What day shall we
meet?"
"Let's not say any day, and then we can do as we choose," Rosalind
suggested, feeling that the restrictions of a constitution might be
burdensome.
Article III then read: "This Society shall hold its meetings at the Gilpin
place."
"Maurice, here are qualifications for membership. Ought we to have that?"
"I don't know; what are they?"
Rosalind bent over the book, "Let me see--'Intelligence, character, and--'
such a funny word. 'R e c i p r o c i t y'; what is that?"