THE HORTICULTURAL CLUB 123 



At this the trap-door opened and Margaret hastily 

 went down the ladder. "He 's got some ginger 

 cookies ! " she informed the waiting and interested 

 Horticultural Club. "Can I let him come up? " 



But Buddy Thomas was already half-way down the 

 ladder to aid the little fellow's progress. 



"I did get up here anyway, Margaret," he said, 

 sitting on the bench beside the members of the club, 

 dangling his fat brown legs and sociably munching 

 his molasses cooky. 



But Margaret paid no attention. 



"This is the way a club ought to end," said Mary. 

 "Business, and then discussion, and then refresh- 

 ments." 



