If it had all been cut and dried it could not have worked out better.  The meeting was packed with citizens who proved to be so full of enthusiasm that they did not stand in need of conversion.  They moved, seconded and passed resolution after resolution urging the aldermen to vote funds for improvements and they mentioned spots in need of improvement and means of improving them that U.S.C. never would have had the courage to suggest.

“We certainly are indebted to you young people for a big move toward benefiting Rosemont,” said Mr. Montgomery to the Club as he passed the settee where they were all seated together.  “It’s going to be one of the beauty spots of New Jersey before this summer is over!”

“And the Ethels are the authors of the ideal” murmured Tom Watkins, applauding silently, as the girls blushed.

CHAPTER XI

THE FLOWER FESTIVAL

The Idea of having a town flower-costume party was the Ethels’, too.  It came to them when contributions were beginning to flag, just as they discovered that the grounds around the fire engine house were a disgrace to a self-respecting community, as their emphatic friend, the alderman, described them.

“People are always willing to pay for fun,” Ethel Brown said, “and this ought to appeal to them because the money that is made by the party will go back to them by being spent for the town.”

Mrs. Morton and Mrs. Emerson and Mrs. Smith thought the plan was possible, and they offered to enlist the interest of the various clubs and societies to which they belonged.  The schools were closed now so that there was no opportunity of advertising the entertainment through the school children, but all the clergymen co-operated heartily in every way in their power and Mr. Montgomery gave the plan plenty of free advertising, not only in the advertising columns but through the means of reading notices which his reporters prepared with as much interest and skill as they had shown in working up public opinion on the general improvement scheme.

“It must be in the school house hall so everybody will go,” declared Helen.

“Why not use the hall and the grounds, too?” inquired Ethel Blue.  “If it’s a fine evening there are various things that would be prettier to have out of doors than indoors.”

“The refreshments, for instance,” explained Ethel Brown.  “Every one would rather eat his ice cream and cake at a table on the lawn in front of the schoolhouse than inside where it may be stuffy if it happens to be a warm night.”

“Lanterns on the trees and candles on each table would make light enough,” decided Ethel Blue.

“There could be a Punch and Judy show in a tent at the side of the schoolhouse,” suggested Dorothy.

“What is there flowery about a Punch and Judy show?” asked Roger scornfully.

“Nothing at all,” returned Dorothy meekly, “but for some reason or other people always like a Punch and Judy show.”