Several small girls were quarreling loudly, and above the noise came Desiree's piping, high-pitched voice: "I haven't had a biscuit for days and it isn't fair." "What's all this about ?" asked Irene, striding into the crowd just in time to see Mabel and another member of the Transition pass, laughing, through the lower door.
There was a babel in reply.
"Those big girls come and grab our biscuits!" "It's a shame of them!" "There ought to be three apiece!" "And there never are!" "It's something if you get two!" "Nancy's taken both mine!" "Honest injun, I haven't!" "I tell you I'm famished!" "Help! Don't all shout at once," decreed Irene.

"Let's have a biscuit parade.

Each hold out what she's got.

Here, Audley, hand one of yours over to Francie.

Effie, break that one in half and share with Chris.
Desiree, you may have mine this morning, but this business mustn't happen again.