30 THE POPCORN SOCIETY 



very good. We can learn a great many things 

 at our meetings and tell one another interest- 

 ing stories. You may all pop questions at the 

 captains, and we shall ask you questions to 

 which you can bring the answers at the next 

 meeting.''' 



"We hope there will be no cross children in 

 the Popcorn Society," chimed in Nancy's moth- 

 er. 



"No, indeed," said her father; "we shall just 

 pop 'em out the first thing." 



Nancy was perfectly delighted that at last 

 she was to belong to a "really truly" society, 

 and she could hardly wait patiently for the first 

 meeting. Fortunately, it came the very next 

 night. 



A coal fire on the hearth, with an even, rosy 

 glow, was made ready for the corn poppers, or 

 popcorners, as some of the children called them, 

 and the pretty yellow corn was soon shelled off 

 the shining ears. The Goodwins came, also Polly 

 Haskell, another neighbor, whose father was a 

 sea captain, and who could tell wonderful stories 

 of her father's adventures. 



The children took turns popping corn. 

 Nancy's arm got tired shaking the long-handled 



