Presently he rang it, and then every one kept still.

Mrs.Wood whispered to Miss Laura that this boy was the president of the band, and the young man with the pale face and curly hair who sat in front of him was Mr.Maxwell, the artist's son, who had formed this Band of Mercy.
The lad who presided had a ringing, pleasant voice.

He said they would begin their meeting by singing a hymn.

There was an organ near the platform, and a young girl played on it, while all the other boys and girls stood up, and sang very sweetly and clearly.
After they had sung the hymn, the president asked for the report of their last meeting.
A little girl, blushing and hanging her head, came forward, and read what was written on a paper that she held in her hand.
The president made some remarks after she had finished, and then every one had to vote.

It was just like a meeting of grown people, and I was surprised to see how good those children were.