The Mysterious Code

club’s plan, Trixie?”
    In a forthright
manner, without being dramatic, Trixie outlined the planned project of the
Bob-Whites of the Glen. Her blue eyes grew big and serious as she told of the
work of UNICEF, of how the B.W.G.’s hoped to contribute to the Fund through
money received from an antique show, of the fact that it would mean hard work
on their part, and of how eager they were to help.
    “You have presented
a very good case for your club,” Mr. Stratton told Trixie when she had finished
talking. “The other club members seem to be just as inspired as you are.”
    “I didn’t realize how
much need there is to help children in oppressed parts of the world until
Trixie told us of UNICEF,” Jim said.
    “Not any of us did,”
Honey added, “and even if we don t get to keep on with our club, we still all
want to help, don’t we?” She nudged Diana and looked expectantly at Brian and
Mart “I feel the same as Honey,” Diana said.
    “Me, too,” Mart
said. “I know a keen way to take off old varnish. I like to work on
furniture.” “I'll do everything I can,” Brian said. “I think we all owe you a
vote of thanks, Mr. Stratton, for giving us this chance to work for UNICEF.”
    “It’s your plan, kids, not
mine,” Mr. Stratton reminded them. “It’s the board members, not I, who will
give you your chance. Ill lay the whole matter before them. You may be sure
they will be fair.”
    “They can’t possibly
know what it means to us,” Trixie said sadly.
    “I’ll try to present that view of it to them,
too,” Mr. Stratton assured her. “Now, I think you may be excused. “I'll let you
know tomorrow about the board’s decision.”
     
    It was growing dark
when the B.W.G.’s left the school. The long, low, modem building was deserted
except for the janitors. Streetlights appeared one by one, casting early
evening shadows on the banked snow on either side of the street Cars hurried
by, carrying businessmen from commuter trains and from offices to homes.
    The B.W.G.’s had
been so intent on their problem that they hadn’t been aware of the passing of
time.
    “Jeepers, it’s
almost six o’clock!” Brian said. “We’d better get on the phone and explain why
we’ve been late.”
    “Moms will be sure
something has happened,” Trixie said. “We should have called her before. She
always says that all she wants us to do is to let her know where we are, what we are doing, and why o’
    “Tell her Regan will
come for us in our station wagon,” Honey said, “or Tom. I’ll go now and call my
home.”
    Regan was the
Wheelers’ groom. He looked after the five riding horses and the stables. He was
much more than a groom. Because Honey’s parents were away so much of the time,
he helped Miss Trask look after the big house and estate, Honey and Jim, and,
in fact, all the rest of the Bob-Whites and their brothers and sisters.
    The Bob-Whites knew
he would put aside whatever he was doing and come for them. Brian and Jim,
though, in quick consultation, were not sure that was what they wanted him to
do.
    “Wait a minute,
Honey,” Jim called. Honey walked back to where the others were standing.
    The rest of the
Bob-Whites looked at Jim, waiting to hear what he had to say.
    “Can you stand it,”
he asked, “to wait till tomorrow to find out what action the board members
take?”
    “Is there an
alternative to our own disposition?” Mart asked, patting his mouth to cover an
imaginary yawn.
    “Oh, stop it, Mart,”
Brian said. “There is this alternative: We can stay in town till the meeting is
over and go out to Mr. Stratton s house and ask him what the board decided.”
    “Why, yes!” Trixie
cried. “Of course we can do that... that is, if our parents will let us. Let me
see, we’d better call Began first and be sure he can pick us up when the
meeting is over. Then we better call our parents. Heavens, I’ve just thought of
something...
    “Bun up a flag,”
Mart said, laughing. “Trixie’s brain is working.”
    “Every once in a
while it works,” Trixie said. “How do you suppose the walks were shoveled at
Crabapple Farm, Mart? Daddy will be home by now, and he’ll be furious at you
and Brian.”
    “Seems to me this is
the night you were supposed to take care of Bobby till Moms gets home from her
Guild meeting,” Mart recalled. “Won’t you be in for a little parental ire
yourself?”
    “Miss Trask stopped
by the school and took
    Bobby home with
her,” Honey