We’re for home and mother,
   God and native land,
   Grown up friend and brother,
   Give us now your hand.

and won loud applause.  Little Sissy Moore knew only the first verse, but it would never have been known that she was saying dum—­dum—­dum—­dum—­dum—­dum—­dum—­dum dum-dum-dum, if Mary Simpson hadn’t told.

Wilford Ducker, starched as stiff as boiled and raw starch could make him, recited “Perish, King Alcohol, we will grow up,” but was accorded a very indifferent reception by the Band of Hopers.  Wilford was allowed to go to Band of Hope only when Miss Barner went for him and escorted him home again.  Mrs. Ducker had been very particular about Wilford from the first.

Then the White girls recited a strictly suitable piece.  It was entitled “The World and the Conscience.”

Lily represented a vain woman of the world bent upon pleasure with a tendency toward liquid refreshment.  Her innocent china-blue eyes and flaxen braids were in strange contrast to the mad love of glittering wealth which was supposed to fill her heart: 

   Give to me the flowing bowl,
      And Pleasure’s glittering crown;
   The path of Pride shall be my goal,
      And conscience’s voice I’ll drown!

Then Blanche sweetly admonished her: 

   Oh! lay aside your idle boasts,
      No Pleasure thus you’ll find;
   The flowing bowl a serpent is
      To poison Soul and Mind.

   Oh, sign our pledge, while yet you can,
      Nor look upon the Wine
   When it is red within the Cup,
      Let not its curse be thine!

Thereupon the frivolous creature repents of her waywardness, and the two little girls join hands and recite in unison: 

   We will destroy this giant King,
   And drive him from our land;
   And on the side of Temp-er-ance
   We’ll surely take our stand!

and the piece was over.

Robert Roblin Watson (otherwise known as Bugsey), who had that very day been installed as a member of the Band of Hope, after he had avowed his determination “never to touch, taste nor handle alcoholic stimulants in any form as a beverage and to discourage all traffic in the same,” was the next gentleman on the programme.  Pearlie was sure Bugsey’s selection was suitable.  She whispered to him the very last minute not to forget his bow, but he did forget it, and was off like a shot into his piece.

   I belong to the Band of Hope,
   Never to drink and never to smoke;
   To love my parents and Uncle Sam,
   Keep Alcohol out of my diaphragm;
   To say my prayers when I go to bed,
   And not put the bedclothes over my head;
   Fill up my lungs with oxygen,
   And be kind to every living thing.

There!  I guess there can’t be no kick about that, Pearl thought to herself as Bugsey finished, and the applause rang out loud and louder.