Elma's locks were very thin and straggly, and she could not help coloring at this left-handed compliment; but at that moment Alice appeared on the balcony to tell the other two girls that the rules were ready, and that they might return to the house. They did so, and the rules were then read carefully over (by Elma on this occasion), criticized by Gwin, Alice, and Bessie, and finally carried as far as the original members of the society were concerned. The next important thing was to put to the vote who was to be asked to join and who was to be excluded. Several girls were named, and among them Elma suddenly introduced the name of Kitty Malone. "Now what do you mean by that?" said Alice, her eyes flashing angrily. "If Kitty joins the society, I, for one, will resign." "But you cannot, dear," said Gwin in her placid voice. "Remember you are one of the founders; you are bound to uphold the society now for at least one term of its natural life. At the end of that time you are permitted to resign, but certainly not before." "Then, as I presume I have a vote with regard to the election of members, I certainly do not wish for Kitty Malone," said Alice. "I think the votes must go by the wishes of the majority," replied Gwin; "does any one else want her?" "I do." said Elma, holding up her hand. "And I think it would be good for her," said Bessie. "Dear me, Bessie, how spiteful of you to say that," cried Alice. "But I do think it, Alice; I do truly." "Why, Bessie?" asked Gwin. "Well, you know there are the sort of things mentioned in our rules which would just give Kitty the sort of restraint she wants," began Bessie. "Yes, I think I begin to understand you, Bessie. I too will vote that she is asked to join," said Gwin. Alice looked very sulky, but did not say anything further, and soon afterward the girls broke up their conference. CHAPTER VII. ELMA. Kitty Malone was admitted to a low form at Middleton School, her acquirements being the reverse of distinguished. This fact did not give her the smallest sense of discomfort. On the contrary, she was pleased; and although her fellow-scholars were all younger and smaller than herself, she soon became a sort of queen among them, laughing and joking with them, and flying round the playground with half a dozen small girls at her heels, feasting them with unlimited chocolate and telling them stories. She soon got through her somewhat easy lessons, and was wilder and more incorrigible than ever. The only sober moments she seemed to enjoy were when she was with Bessie; for Bessie Challoner took a sincere interest in her, and was very anxious to get her into a higher form, where she would be with girls nearer her own age, and would thus be forced to submit to more discipline than she could enjoy with the younger girls. Bessie also hoped great things from the Tug-of-war Society, and soon told Kitty that she was to be asked to become a member.