me," answered Grace, when she could restrain her laughter so as to
speak.

"I am happy to be the bearer of such a pleasant message," said Paul, as
he bowed and retired.

"Grand Protectress!" laughed Grace, repeating in measured tones her
magnificent title.

Paul reported the acceptance of the Grand Protectress; and the society
was further organized by the choice of a secretary, whose only duty was
to keep a record of the names of the members.

"Now, we want a motto," said Gordon; "something that will express, in
few words, the objects of the society."

"I don't happen to know what the objects of the society are," replied
Haven; "but I suggest, '_Honi soit qui mal y pense_.'"

"The Queen of England has a mortgage on that motto," said Paul.
"_Semper paratus_ will be better."

"What does it mean?" asked a student.

"Some praties," replied a wag.

"Let us have a motto in plain English, and one that has not been used
by all the engine companies in the United States," added Haven.

"_Semper paratus_ is good, I think," persisted Paul. "_Always ready_ to
answer the boatswain's call, and _always ready_ to do our duty."

"But it is worn out," protested Haven. "I move you we invite the Grand
Protectress to give us a motto."

The motion was carried, and the same committee appointed to make the
request. Paul led the way to Grace again, who was still highly amused
at the grand honor which had been conferred upon her.

"The Order of the Faithful instructs me humbly to petition the Grand
Protectress for a motto suitable to the needs, and expressive of the
objects, of the association," said Paul.

"O, dear me!" exclaimed Grace. "If you ask such things as that of me, I
shall not wish to be Grand Protectress. I think, as your great
philosopher said, it will be paying too dear for the whistle. Must it
be in English, French, Latin, or German?"

"That must be left to the discretion of your Grand Protectresship,"
answered Paul, gravely.

"Please to help me, father," said she, appealing to Mr. Arbuckle.

"Whatever the Grand Protectress vouchsafes to give us shall be
cherished by the order," added Paul.

Mr. Arbuckle wrote a sentence on a slip of paper, and handed it to
Grace.

"Ah, here is your motto!" exclaimed she, laughing heartily.

"Please to repeat it," said Captain Shuffles.

"_Vous ne pouvez pas faire un sifflet de la queue d'un cochon_," added
Grace, reading from the paper, which she handed to Paul, choking