Rambunctious Rhoda from Rawhide Springs. Put 'em on."

She held out the overalls and jumper to the surprised new girl, who
hesitated to take them.

"_Hic jacet!_ The varlet refuses 'em!" hissed the red-haired girl.

"Goodness, Laura," whispered Nan. "That means 'here lies'--and
nobody is telling stories."

"She's got her Latin and Shakesperean English most awfully mixed,"
giggled one of the other girls.

"And 'varlet' is the wrong gender, anyway," observed Bess.

"Silence!" commanded the Mistress of Ceremonies. "Silence in the
ranks. Will she not don the costume?"

"Put 'em on!" commanded Laura again, shaking the painter's suit
before the hesitating Western girl.

"She would better," said Amelia threateningly, "or I will call to
your aid all these, my faithful followers, who have already been
through the fiery trial."

"I don't want to go through any fiery trial," said Rhoda. "But if
you insist, I'll put on that jacket and the pants."

"'Pants' is truly Western, isn't it, Laura?" asked Amelia Boggs.
"Civilized folk say trousers."