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 to pursue her disconsolate way and betook ourselves homeward . `` I would like to spoil Matt Dickey 's little game , '' said Frank . `` He is evidently trying to run things at Enderly Road school and revenge himself on the teacher . Let us put a spoke in his wheel and do Maggie a good turn as well . '' `` Agreed . But how ? ''
Frank had a plan ready to hand and , when we reached home , we took his sisters , Carrie and Mabel , into our confidence ; and the four of us worked XXXXX such good purpose all the next day , which was Saturday , that by night everything was in readiness .
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