all
we try this plan?"

It was unanimously adopted, and they all wrote their names under the
text in a new blank-book which was handed over to Jim, who offered no
objection to being made secretary.

"And now for our work," said Mrs. Howard. "Some years ago, when I
spent a summer in Maine, I learned from an Indian woman to make
baskets of sweet grass. This year I had a friend bring me some of this
grass, and it occurred to me the other day that it would be just the
work for you boys."

Carl brought in an armful of the fragrant material, and his aunt
showed them how to fasten it to the frame she had had made for the
purpose, and then braid it. Their fingers were awkward at first, but
they soon learned to do it evenly, and found it pleasant work.

"What are we to do with them when they are done?" Ikey asked.

"Sell them, and help somebody with the money," was the reply.

The thought of making anything good enough to sell was inspiring, and
they worked with a will till it was time to adjourn.

Talking it over with her brother after the boys were gone, Aunt Zelie
said: "Perhaps our club is too comprehensive: a sort of Village
Improvement, Humane and Missionary Society combined, but the boys
thought of these things themselves. If we can only cultivate the
spirit of helpfulness, perhaps it will find its own natural channel in
each."

"You can't specialize in everything, life is too short," answered Mr.
Hazeltine, laughing.

"I don't know what you mean by channels, and specializing, and all
that," said Carl, looking in the door, "but I can tell you, Aunt
Zelie, the boys like it, and Jim thinks you are tiptop. Hurrah for the
G.N.C.!"

CHAPTER XI.

PLANS.

"Suppose we ask the boys to help us," said Bess, threading her needle,
and carefully making a nice little knot.

"Oh, no!" objected Elsie, "let's do it all by ourselves."

"If the boys can help us to do something better than we can do without
them, I think we ought to have them," said Dora wisely.

"It will be more fun too," said Louise, whose motto was "The more, the
merrier."

"We haven't much time either," Bess continued; "but Aunt Zelie will
help us, and you too, won't you, Miss Brown?"

"I'll be glad to do anything I can," replied that lady, looking up
from the feather-stitching she was showing Constance.

Christmas was coming. The fact could no longer be overlooked, and as
usual everybody was feeling surprised at its nearness.

It was no