A suppressed "O-o-h!" arose here and there.

Evidently much enjoying their confusion Bertha and her confederates retired, leaving the poor Camellia Buds to hold an indignation meeting.

Everybody talked at once.
"How did they find out ?" "Has anybody sneaked ?" "It's the absolute limit!" "I couldn't have believed it!" "It gives me spasms!" "Of all mean things!" "It makes me tingle!" Then Jess, who was practical, made a suggestion.
"I vote we take an oath of every member that she hasn't betrayed us." "'O wise young judge!'" quoted Agnes.

"That's the best thing anybody's said yet.

Let's stand round in a row and swear 'Honest Injun.'" If the Camellia Buds sustained doubts of one another's integrity these were absolutely dispelled by the fervency with which each pleaded her innocence.
"Somebody must have been eavesdropping at one of our meetings, I suppose," sighed Agnes gloomily.