her readin' book, where she'll be sure to see it the first thing in the
mornin', an' then I'll talk to Grout about hirin' his sleigh."

Even those who were opposed to sending so harsh a reply in answer to
the invitation, did not remonstrate against the plans of their leader,
and that which was believed would be the death-blow to the girls'
necktie party was left where Aggie would be sure to see it when she
came to school next morning.


CHAPTER II
AGGIE'S SCHEME


While it is a fact that nearly every boy who had allowed himself to be
influenced by Si Kelly in the matter of refusing to attend Aggie
Morrell's necktie party was almost ashamed of himself for permitting
such a letter to be written without making protest, each one was at the
schoolhouse early next day in order to learn "what the girls were going
to do about it."

Aggie had always been a favorite with her schoolmates; but on this
particular morning,
when she came into the schoolhouse a quarter of an hour before Deacon
Littlefield called the pupils to order, the boys., with the single
exception of Winny Curtis, were very careful to keep on their own side
of the room. Every fellow was anxious to hear what she would say when
she read Si's note; but no one was willing to put himself forward more
prominently than another, for even the redoubtable Si was rather afraid
of Aggie's temper.