"That's too much like work," said King. "Besides, we're all going to be in the Bazaar in December, and we don't want to copy that! And, anyway, I mean something more--more political than that." "I don't know anything about politics," declared Marjorie, "and you don't, either!" "I do, too. Father told me all about the different parties and platforms and everything." "Let's have a platform," said Kitty. "You boys can build it." King laughed at this, but, as the others had only a hazy idea of what a political platform was, Kitty's suggestion was not heeded. "I'll tell you," said Dick. "When Father was talking last night, he said if our citizens were public-spirited, they'd form a Village Improvement Society, and fix up the streets and beautify the park and the common, and keep their lawns in better order." "Now you're talking!" cried King. "That's the sort of thing I mean. And we children could be a little Village Improvement Society ourselves. Of course we couldn't do much, but we could make a start, and then grown-up people might take the notion and do it themselves." "I think it would be lovely," said Marjorie. "We could plant flowers in the middle of the common, and we'd all water them and weed them, and keep them in lovely order." "We couldn't plant flowers till next spring," said Gladys. "October's no time to plant flowers." "It's not a very good time for such work, anyway," said Dick, "for most of the improvement is planting things, and mowing grass, and like that. But there are other things, 'cause Father said that such a society could make all the people who live here keep their sidewalks clean and not have any ashes or rubbish anywhere about." "I think it's great," said King. "I move we go right bang! into it, and that we first change the name of the Jinks Club to the Village Improvement Society. Then let's keep just the same officers, and everything, and go right ahead and improve." "Yes," said Marjorie, "and then whenever we want to turn back again to the Jinks Club, why, we can." "Oh, we won't want to turn back," said King, confidently; "the other'll be more fun." "All right," said Dick. "I'm secretary, so I'll make out a list of what we can do. How much money is there in the treasury, Midget?" "Sixty cents," said Marjorie, promptly. "Huh! Just what we paid in to-day." "Yes, you know we spent last week's money going on a trolley ride." "So we did. Well, we'll have to have more cash, if we're going to improve this town much." "Then I can't belong," said Marjorie, decidedly. "I've got to begin now to save money for Christmas. I'd rather have it for that than plant flower beds." "A nice citizen you are!" growled King. "But," he added, "I haven't any extra money, either. Christmas is coming, and that's a fact!" "Father'll give us Christmas money," said Kitty. "Yes; but he likes to have us save some of our allowance, too. He says it makes better gifts."