Marjorie at Seacote Page 5

  CHAPTER V

  "THE JOLLY SANDBOY"

  The Sand Club was not very strict in its methods or systems. Some daysit met, and some days it didn't. Sometimes all the court was present,and sometimes only three or four of them.

  But everything went on harmoniously, and there were no exhibitions ofill temper from the Sand Witch.

  In fact, Hester was absorbed in doing her part toward the first numberof _The Jolly Sandboy_.

  The child was quite an adept at drawing and painting, and she was makingseveral illustrations for their court journal. One, representingMarjorie seated on her sand throne, was really clever, and there wereother smaller pictures, too.

  Kingdon worked earnestly to get the paper into shape. He hadcontributions from all the club, and from Mr. and Mrs. Maynard also. Hehad a small typewriter of his own, and he laboriously copied thecontributions on fair, white pages, and, with Hester's picturesinterspersed, bound them all into a neat cover of red paper.

  This Hester ornamented with a yellow sand-pail, emblem of their club,and tied it at the top with a yellow ribbon. Altogether, the firstnumber of _The Jolly Sandboy_ was a strikingly beautiful affair.

  And the court convened, in full court dress, to hear it read.

  The court wardrobes had received various additions. Often a courtierblossomed out in some new regalia, always of red or yellow, or both.

  The several mothers of the court frequently donated old ribbons,feathers, or flowers, from discarded millinery or other finery, and allthese were utilized by the frippery loving courtiers.

  Hester had contrived a witch costume, which was greatly admired. A redskirt, a yellow shawl folded cornerwise, and a very tall peaked hat ofblack with red and yellow ribbons, made the child look like some weirdcreature.

  Marjorie's tastes ran rather to magnificent attire, and she accumulatedwaving plumes, artificial flowers, and floating gauze veils anddraperies.

  The boys wore nondescript costumes, in which red jerseys and yellowsashes played a prominent part, while King achieved the dignity of amantle, picturesquely slung from one shoulder. Many badges and ordersadorned their breasts, and lances and spears, wound with gilt paper,added to the courtly effect.

  "My dearly beloved Court," Marjorie began, beaming graciously from herflower decked throne, "we are gathered together here to-day to listen tothe reading of our Court Journal,--a noble paper,--published by ournoble courtier, the Sand Piper, who will now read it to us."

  "Hear! Hear!" cried all the courtiers.

  "Most liege Majesty," began King, bowing so low that his shoulder capefell off. But he hastily swung it back into place and went on. "Also,most liege lady-in-waiting, our noble Sand Witch, we greet thee. And wegreet our Grand Sandjandrum, and our noble Sandow, and our beloved SandCrab. We greet all, and everybody. Did I leave anybody out of thisgreeting?"

  "No! No!"

  "All right; then I'll fire away. The first article in this paper is aneditorial,--I wrote it myself because I am editor-in-chief. You're alleditors, you know, but I'm the head editor."

  "Why not say headitor?" suggested Tom.

  "Good idea, friend Courtier! I'm the headitor, then. And this is myheaditorial. Here goes! 'Courtiers and Citizens: This journal, called_The Jolly Sandboy_, shall relate from time to time the doings of ournoble court. It shall tell of the doughty deeds of our brave knights,and relate the gay doings of our fair ladies. It shall mention news ofinterest, if any, concerning the inhabitants of Seacote in general, andthe families of this court in particular. Our politics are not confinedto any especial party, but our platform is to grow up to be presidentsourselves.' This ends my headitorial."

  Great applause followed this masterpiece of journalistic literature, andthe Sand Piper proceeded:

  "I will next read the column of news, notes, and social events, ascollected by our energetic and capable young reporter, the Sand Crab:

  * * * * *

  "'The Queen and her lady-in-waiting went bathing in the ocean thismorning. Our noble Queen was costumed in white, trimmed with blue, andthe Sand Witch in dark blue trimmed with red. Both noble ladies squealedwhen a large breaker knocked them over. The whole court rushed to theirrescue, and no permanent damage resulted.

  "Three gentlemen courtiers of this court, who reside in the same castle,had ice-cream for dinner last night. The colors were pink and white. Itwas exceeding good.

  "A very young princess, a sister of our beloved Queen, went walkingyesterday afternoon with her maid of honor. The princess wore a bigwhite hat with funny ribbon bunches on it. Also white shoes.

  "Mr. Sears has had his back fence painted. (We don't know any Mr. Sears,and he hasn't any back fence, but we are making up now, as our real newshas given out and our column isn't full.)

  "Mrs. Black spent Sunday with her mother-in-law, Mrs. Green. (Seeabove.)

  "Mr. Van Winkle is building a gray stone mansion of forty rooms onSeashore Drive. We think it is quite a pretty house.

  "This is all the news I can find for this time. Yours truly.--THESAND CRAB.'"

  * * * * *

  "Noble Sand Crab, we thank you for your fine contribution to our midst,"announced the Queen, and the Sand Crab burrowed in the sand and kickedin sheer delight at such praise.

  "The next," announced the Sand Piper, "is an original poem by our mostliege majesty, the Queen. It's pretty fine, I think.

  "Most noble Court, I greet you now, From Grand Sandjandrum to small Sandow. From old Sand Piper, and gay Sand Witch, To Sand Crab, with hair as black as pitch. I hope our Court will ever be Renowned for its fun and harmony. And as I gaze on this gorgeous scene, I'm glad I am your beloved Queen."

  "Jinks! that's gay!" exclaimed Tom. "How do you ever do it, Marjorie? Idid a poem, but it doesn't run nice and slick like yours."

  "I'll read it next," said King. "I think it's pretty good.

  "I love the people named _Maynard_, I like to play in their back yard. We have a jolly Sand Court, Which makes the time fly very short. Except going in the ocean bathing, There's nothing I like so much for a plaything."

  "That's very nice, Tom," said Marjorie, forgetting her role.

  "No, it isn't. It seems as if it ought to be right, and then somehow itisn't. Bathing and plaything are 'most alike, and yet they sound awfuldifferent."

  "That's so. Well, anyway, it's plenty good enough, and it's all true,Tom."

  "Yes, it's all true."

  "Then it must be right, 'cause there's a quotation or something thatsays truth is beauty. We wouldn't want all our poems to be just alike,you know."

  "No, I s'pose not," and Tom felt greatly encouraged by Marjorie's kindcriticism.

  "Next," said King, "is our Puzzle Department. It's sort of queer, butit's Sandow's contribution, and he said to put it in, and he'd explainabout it. So here it is.

  * * * * *

  "'SANDY PRIZE PUZZLE. Prize, a musical top, donated by theauthor. Question: Is the number of sands on the seashore odd or even?Anybody in this court who can answer this question truthfully willreceive the prize. Signed, SANDOW.'"

  * * * * *

  "That's nonsense," cried Hester. "How can anybody tell whether we answertruthfully or not?"

  "I can tell," said Sandow, gravely. "Whoever first answers it truthfullywill get the prize."

  "But it's ridiculous," said King. "In the first place, how much seashoredo you mean? Only that here at Seacote, or all the Atlantic shore? Orall the world?"

  Dick considered. "I mean all the seashore in all the world," he said, atlast.

  "Then that's silly, too," said Tom, "for how far does the seashore go?Just to the edge of the ocean, or all the way under?"

  "All the way under," replied Dick, solemnly.

  "Then you really mean all the sand in all the world!"

  "Yes; that's it. Of course, all the sand in all the world numbers a
certain number of grains. Now, is that number odd or even?"

  "You're crazy, Dick!" said Hester, but Marjorie said, "No, he isn'tcrazy; I think there's a principle there somewhere, but I can't work itout."

  "I guess you can't!" said King. "I give it up."

  "So do I!" declared Tom, and at last they all gave it up.

  "Now you must answer it yourself, Dick," said King.

  "Then nobody gets the prize," objected Sandow.

  "No, you keep it yourself. Have you got one, anyhow?"

  "Yes, a nice musical top Uncle John sent to me. I've never used it much,it's as good as new. I _wish_ somebody would guess."

  Nobody did, and Dick sighed.

  "Bet you can't answer your old puzzle, yourself," said Hester.

  "Yes, I can," averred Dick, "but you must ask it to me."

  "All right," said King. "Mr. Sandow, honorable and noble courtier ofSand Court, is the number of sea sands odd or even? Answer truthfullynow."

  "I don't know," replied Dick, "and that's the truth!"

  How they all laughed! It was a quibble, of course, but the Maynardchildren were surprised at themselves that they hadn't seen through thecatch.

  Dick sat on the sand, rocking back and forth with laughter.

  "The witch ought to have guessed it," he cried; "or else the Queen oughtto."

  "Yes, my courtier, we ought," Marjorie admitted. "You caught us fairly,and we hereby give you the post of wizard of this court. Sand Piper,what's next in your journal?"

  "The next is a poem by the Honorable Edward Maynard. That is, he wrotepart of it, and then, as he had to go to New York on business, hishonorable wife finished it. Here it is:

  "Royal Courtiers, great and grand, Ruling o'er your court of sand, Take this greeting from the pen Of an humble citizen. May you, each one, learn to be Filled with true nobility; Gentle, loving, brave, and kind, Strong of arm and pure of mind. May you have a lot of fun, And look back, when day is done, O'er long hours of merry play Filled with laughter blithe and gay. May your court of mimic rule Teach you lore not learned in school; Rule your heart to think no ill, Rule your temper and your will."

  "Gee, that's real poetry, that is!" exclaimed Tom. "Say, your people arepoets, aren't they?"

  "Why, I think they are," said Marjorie, "but Father says they're not."

  "I'd like a copy of that poem," said Hester, looking very serious.

  "All right," said King, catching the witch's glance. "I'll make you anice typewritten copy of it to-morrow."

  "And now, my royal Sand Piper, is there any more poetic lore for us tolisten to?"

  "Aye, my liege Queen, there is one more poem. This is a real poem also,but it is of the humorous variety. It was composed by the mother of ourroyal Sand Witch, and was freely contributed to our paper by thatestimable lady. Methinks she mistook our club for a debating club, andyet, perhaps not. This may be merely a flight of fancy, such as poetsare very fond of, I am told. I will now read Mrs. Corey's contribution:

  "There once was a Debating Club, exceeding wise and great; On grave and abstruse questions it would eagerly debate. Its members said: 'We are so wise, ourselves we'll herewith dub The Great Aristophelean Pythagoristic Club.' And every night these bigwigs met, and strove with utmost pains To solve recondite problems that would baffle lesser brains. They argued and debated till the hours were small and wee; And weren't much discouraged if they didn't then agree. They said their say, and went their way, these cheerful, pleasant men, And then came round next evening, and said it all again. Well, possibly, you'll be surprised; but all the winter through The questions they debated on numbered exactly two. For as they said: 'Of course we can't take up another one, Till we have solved conclusively the two that we've begun.' They reasoned and they argued, as the evenings wore along; And each one thought that he was right, and deemed the others wrong. They wrangled and contended, they disputed and discussed, They retorted and rebutted, they refuted and they fussed; But though their wisdom was profound, and erudite their speech, A definite conclusion those men could never reach. And so the club disbanded, and they read their last report, Which told the whole sad story, though it was exceeding short: 'Resolved--We are not able to solve these problems two: "Does Polly want a cracker?" and "What did Katy do?"'"

  "Well, isn't that fine!" cried Marjorie. "Why, Hester, your mother ismore a poet than ours."

  "She does write lovely poetry," said Hester, "but I like your mother'spoem, too, because it,--well, you know what I mean."

  Somehow the children all understood that tempestuous Hester appreciatedthe lines that so gently advised the ruling and subduing of an unrulytemper and will, but nobody knew just how to express it.

  So King broke a somewhat awkward silence by saying, heartily, "Yep, weknow!" and all the others said "Yep" in chorus.

  "I think, O Royal Court," the Queen began, "that our first paper isfine. How often shall we issue _The Jolly Sandboy_?"

  "'Bout once a week, I think," said Tom.

  "All right," agreed King; "and you fellows get your stuff in a littleearlier next week so's I can typewrite it in time."

  "And now, my beloved court," resumed Midget, "I think we have sat stilllong enough, and I decree that we have a game of Prisoner's Base. Andwhat I say goes!"

  There was no dissenting voice. The Queen unpinned her court train fromher shoulders, the Sand Witch laid aside her tall, peaked hat, and thecourtiers discarded such details of their costumes as seemed likely toimpede progress in the game. Prisoner's Base was followed by Hide andSeek, and then it was time for the court to repair to its several homes.

  "It's all so lovely, Marjorie," said Hester. "I'm _so_ glad you let meplay with you."

  "That's all right, Hester, as long as you don't smash things or makefaces at us."

  "Oh, I never will again; truly, Marjorie. I'm going to learn that poemof your mother's by heart, and I _know_ I'll never lose my temper again,Good-bye."

  "Good-bye, Hester," and after an affectionate kiss the two girls parted.

  "Goo'-bye, Queenie Sandy," called Tom, as they separated at the turn ofthe path.

  "Good-bye, Tom, you old Grand Sandjandrum!" and then the Maynards raninto their own house.

  "Gently, my lad and lassie; gently!" warned Mrs. Maynard, as her twoyoung hopefuls flung themselves upon her.

  "Oh, Mothery," cried Marjorie, "we had _such_ a good time! And our courtjournal was lovely! Want to see it? And King fixed it up so beautifully,and Hester made such _dear_ pictures for it! Oh, Mother, isn't itsplendid to have so much fun?"

  "Yes, dearie," and Mrs. Maynard stroked the flushed brow of herenergetic and excitable daughter. "But when you come in from your play,you must be a little bit quieter and more ladylike. I don't want tothink that these merry companions of yours are making you reallyboisterous."

  "They are, though," said King. "I like the Craigs and Hester Corey, butthey sure are the noisy bunch!"

  "Oh, King, not _quite_ so much slang!"

  "No, Mother, we won't get gay! We'll try to please you every way! Butwe're feeling rather spry to-day! So please excuse us, Mothery May!"