"Oh, that wouldn't be fair to the Blue Birds if they are going to help in the work," said Ned.
"Name it 'Blue Bird & Bobolink Company,'" said Uncle Ben.
This last suggestion struck everyone as being just right, but Mr. Talmage made a good amendment.
"Why not have a mysterious combination? Every mortal is interested in finding out a puzzle, or secret. The more elusive a thing is the more they chase it. Now, get folks guessing over your name and they will not forget you so soon. I just thought of the name of 'B. B. & B. B. Company.'"
"That's great, father, but we haven't thought of a name for the magazine," cried Ned.
"Add a few more 'B's' to the others," laughed Uncle Ben. "We'll name it the 'B. B. B. B.,' published by the 'B. B. & B. B. Co.'"
"What does 'B. B. B. B.' stand for?" asked Mr. Talmage.
"'Blue Bird Bobolink Bulletin,'" replied Uncle Ben.
"That's mystery enough, I'm sure," laughed Mr. Talmage.
After a few more remarks, the first meeting of the organization whose influence was to be far greater than had been hoped for by Uncle Ben, or the boys who had started it, was dismissed.
It is needless to say that the moment school was dismissed the following afternoon every boy and girl who was interested in the new Publishing Company, ran toward the carriage house at Mossy Glen. The teachers, pupils, and even some of the members of the Board of Education had heard of the plans made the day before--for in a small community like Oakdale, news travels rapidly--and the men on the school board were as much interested in the success of the children's work as if it had been their own undertaking.
Ike had found some splendid pine boards, a number of two-by-four joists, plenty of odds and ends of railing, posts, moulding, and other trim that would make a boy delight in amateur carpentry work.
Nails, screws, hammers, saw, and tools of all kinds were provided, so that each boy could work without delaying or inconveniencing the others. Ike and Simon were to superintend the construction and show the boys how to put things together properly.
Uncle Ben and Mr. Talmage, who went to the city early in the morning to attend to the shipping of the machinery, had not yet returned.
The Blue Birds gathered merrily in their Nest in the cherry tree, with several little girls who had been away during the summer and were eager to join the Nest.