John Howard Envoy Extraordinary please manifest it by the usual
sign.'
Six persons yelled 'Ay,' four raised the right hand, and one stood
up.
'There seems to be a slight difference of opinion as to the usual
sign. All right.--Contrary minded!'
'No!' shouted Polly, at the top of her lungs.
'It is a unanimous vote,' said Geoffrey, crushingly, bringing down
his fist as an imaginary gavel with incredible force and dignity.
'Dr. and Mrs. Winship, will you oblige the Chair by acting as a
special Reception Committee?'
'Certainly,' responded the doctor, smilingly. 'Will the Chair kindly
outline the general policy of the committee?'
'Hm-m-m! Yes, certainly--of course. The Chair suggests that the
Reception Committee--well, that they stay at home and--receive the
guests,--yes, that will do very nicely. All-in-favour-and-so-forth-
it-is-a-vote-and-so-ordered. Secretary will please spread a copy on
the minutes.' Gavel.
'I rise to a point of order,' said Jack, sagely. 'There is no
secretary and there are no minutes.'
'Mere form,' said the Chair; 'sit down; there will be minutes in a
minute,--got to do some more things first; that will do, SIT DOWN.
Will the Misses Burton and Messrs. Burton and Noble kindly act as
Committee on Decoration?'
'Where's the Committee on Music, and Refreshments, and Olympian
Games, and all that sort of thing?' interrupted Polly, who had not
the slightest conception of parliamentary etiquette; 'and why don't
you hurry up and put me on something?'
'If Miss Oliver refuses to bridle her tongue, and persists in
interrupting the business of the meeting, the Chair will be obliged
to remove her,' said Geoffrey, with chilling emphasis.
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