The Dickeys have gone back on us ... after promising , too , '' and the tears began to swell up in the blue eyes again . `` Very bad behaviour on the part of the Dickeys , '' commented Frank . `` But ca n't you decorate the school without them ? '' `` Why , of course not . They are the only big boys in the school . They said they would cut the boughs , and bring a ladder tomorrow and help us nail the wreaths up , and now they wo n't ... and everything is spoiled ... and Miss Davis will be so disappointed . '' By dint of questioning Frank soon found out the whole story . The semi-annual public examination was to be held on Monday afternoon , the day before Christmas . Miss Davis had been drilling her little flock for the occasion ; and a program of recitations , speeches , and dialogues had been prepared . Our small informant , whose name was Maggie Bates , together with Minnie Lawler and several other little girls , had conceived the idea that it would be a fine thing to decorate the schoolroom with greens . For this it was necessary to ask the help of the boys . Boys were scarce at Enderly school , but the Dickeys , three in number , had promised to see that the thing was done . `` And now they wo n't , '' sobbed Maggie . `` Matt Dickey is mad at Miss Davis 'cause she stood him on the floor today for not learning his lesson , and he says he wo n't do a thing nor let any of the other boys help us . Matt just makes all the boys do as he says . I feel dreadful bad , and so does Minnie . '' `` Well , I would n't cry any more about it , '' said Frank consolingly . `` Crying wo n't do any good , you know . Can you tell us where to find the wood-lane that cuts across to Blackburn Hill ? '' Maggie could , and gave us minute directions .
So , having thanked her , we left her XXXXX pursue her disconsolate way and betook ourselves homeward .
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