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Problem Solving and
Python Programming
 About the Author
E Balagurusamy is presently the Chairman of EBG Foundation, Coimbatore. In the past he has also held the
positions of member, Union Public Service Commission, New Delhi and Vice-Chancellor, Anna University,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He is a teacher, trainer and consultant in the fields of Information Technology and
Management. He holds an ME (Hons) in Electrical Engineering and PhD in Systems Engineering from the
Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Uttarakhand. His areas of interest include Object-Oriented Software
Engineering, E-Governance: Technology Management, Business Process Re-engineering and Total Quality
Management.
A prolific writer, he has authored a large number of research papers and several books. His best-selling
books, among others include:
● Programming in ANSIC, 7/e

● Fundamentals of Computers

● Computing Fundamentals and C Programming, 2e

● Programming in C#, 3/e

● Programming in Java, 5/e

● Object-Oriented Programming with C++, 7/e

● Programming in BASIC, 3/e

● Numerical Methods

● Reliability Engineering

● Problem Solving and Python Programming

A recipient of numerous honors and awards, he has been listed in the Directory of Who’s Who of
Intellectuals and in the Directory of Distinguished Leaders in Education.
Problem Solving and
Python Programming

E Balagurusamy
Chairman
EBG Foundation
Coimbatore

McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited

CHENNAI

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 McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited

Published by McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited

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Problem Solving and Python Programming

Copyright © 2018 by McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise or stored in a database or retrieval system
without the prior written permission of the publishers. The program listings (if any) may be entered, stored and executed in a computer
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This edition can be exported from India only by the publishers,

McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited

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Print Edition:
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Information contained in this work has been obtained by McGraw Hill Education (India), from sources believed to be reliable. However,
neither McGraw Hill Education (India) nor its authors guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein,
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 Contents

Preface ix

Unit 1: Introduction to Computing and Algorithmic Problem Solving

Chapter 1 Introduction to Digital Computer 3

1.1 Introduction 3
1.2 Von Neumann Concept 5
1.3 Storage 8
1.4 Programming Languages 12
1.5 Translators 14
1.6 Hardware and Software 15
1.7 Operating Systems 17
Always Remember 18
Key Terms 18
Review Exercises 19
Multiple Choice Questions 19
Short Questions 21
Answers to Multiple Choice Questions 22

Chapter 2 Problem Solving Strategies 23

2.1 Problem Analysis 23
2.2 Algorithms 24
2.3 Flow Charts 26
2.4 Examples of Algorithms and Flow Charts 30
Always Remember 35
Key Terms 35
Review Exercises 36
vi Contents

Multiple Choice Questions 36

Short Questions 37
Answers to Multiple Choice Questions 37

Appendix A: Practice Exercises with Algorithm and Flow Chart 38

Appendix B: Problem Solving Exercises with Algorithms and Pseudocode 91

Unit 2: Introduction to Python and Data, Expressions, Statements

Chapter 3 Introduction to Python 117

3.1 Introduction 117
3.2 Python Overview 117
3.3 Getting Started with Python 118
3.4 Comments 123
3.5 Python Identifiers 123
3.6 Reserved Keywords 124
3.7 Variables 124
3.8 Standard Data Types 126
3.9 Operators 132
3.10 Statement and Expression 142
3.11 String Operations 143
3.12 Boolean Expressions 145
3.13 Control Statements 146
3.14 Iteration – while Statement 152
3.15 Input from Keyboard 154
Always Remember 156
Key Terms 157
Review Exercises 157
Multiple Choice Questions 161
Short Questions 162
Answers to Multiple Choice Questions 162

Unit 3: Functions

Chapter 4 Functions 165

4.1 Introduction 165
4.2 Built-in Functions 165
4.3 Composition of Functions 171
4.4 User Defined Functions 172
 Contents vii

4.5 Parameters and Arguments 175

4.6 Function Calls 179
4.7 The return Statement 180
4.8 Python Recursive Function 181
4.9 The Anonymous Functions 181
4.10 Writing Python Scripts 183
Always Remember 185
Key Terms 186
Review Exercises 187
Multiple Choice Questions 192
Short Questions 193
Answers to Multiple Choice Questions 194

Unit 4: Lists, Tuples and Dictionaries

Chapter 5 Strings and Lists 197

5.1 Strings 197
5.2 Lists 209
Always Remember 217
Key Terms 218
Review Exercises 219
Multiple Choice Questions 226
Short Questions 229
Answers to Multiple Choice Questions 232

Chapter 6 Tuples and Dictionaries 233

6.1 Tuples 233
6.2 Dictionaries 244
Always Remember 251
Key Terms 252
Review Exercises 253
Multiple Choice Questions 259
Short Questions 262
Answers to Multiple Choice Questions 264

Unit 5: Files, Modules and Packages

Chapter 7 Files and Exceptions 267

7.1 Text Files 267
7.2 Directories 277
7.3 Exceptions 279
viii Contents

7.4 Exception with Arguments 285

7.5 User-Defined Exceptions 286
Always Remember 288
Key Terms 289
Review Exercises 290
Multiple Choice Questions 295
Short Questions 297
Answers to Multiple Choice Questions 298

Chapter 8 Classes and Objects 299

8.1 Overview of OOP (Object-Oriented Programming) 299
8.2 Class Definition 300
8.3 Creating Objects 302
8.4 Objects as Arguments 305
8.5 Objects as Return Values 306
8.6 Built-in Class Attributes 307
8.7 Inheritance 308
8.8 Method Overriding 312
8.9 Data Encapsulation 312
8.10 Data Hiding 314
Always Remember 315
Key Terms 316
Review Exercises 317
Multiple Choice Questions 323
Short Questions 325
Answers to Multiple Choice Questions 326

Appendix C: Fundamental Standard Library Modules 327

 PrefACe

Developments in the field of digital electronics and the huge amount of data generated during the last
few decades ushered in the second Industrial Revolution which is popularly referred to as the Information
Revolution. Information technology played an ever-increasing role in this new revolution. A sound knowledge
of how computers work, process and analyze data has, therefore, become indispensable for everyone who
seeks employment not only in the area of IT, but also in any other fields. Rightly so, many institutions and
universities in India have introduced a subject covering Problem Solving and Python Programming for their
undergraduate students. This book caters to those needs of the undergraduate students.

Why learn Python?

Python is a high-level, interpreted, reflective, dynamically typed, open-source, multi-paradigm, and general-
purpose programming language. It is quite powerful and easy. It offers no special tools or features that let
you do things that you cannot do with other languages, but its elegant design and combination of certain
features make Python a pleasure to use.

What’s Special in this Book?

The book ensures a smooth and successful transition to a skilled expert in Python. This book uses a simple-
to-complex and easy-to-learn approach throughout the book. The concept of ‘learning by-solving’ has been
stressed in all the chapters of the book. Each feature of Python is treated in-depth followed by a complete
program example to illustrate its use. Wherever necessary, concepts are explained pictorially to facilitate
better understanding. It presents a contemporary approach to programming, offering a combination of theory
and practice.
Each of the 8 chapters follow a common structure with a range of learning and assessment tools for
instructors and students.

Salient Features of the Book

The salient features of the book include the following:
● Bottom-up approach of explaining concepts has been adopted in the book.
x Preface

● Algorithms and flowcharts have been discussed extensively in an appendix.

● Codes with Comments have been provided throughout the book to illustrate the use of various features
of Python.
● Supplementary Information and important notes that complement, but stand apart from the text, have
been included in special boxes under the head Notes.
● Always Remember consists of important summary points at the end of every chapter to help the readers
recollect the topics covered with ease.
● Check Your Understanding helps the readers evaluate their learning after every section within the
chapters of the book.
● Important Key Terms within the chapter have been listed at the end.
Review Exercises comprising Multiple choice questions along with answer keys, short questions and
programming exercises are provided at the chapter end to help readers test their conceptual understanding.

Organization of the Book

The book spans across eight chapters spread over 5 Units. The first two chapters introduces the learner to
digital computers–the basic structure, programming languages, operating systems, problem solving strategies
and conventional introduction to programming. The next six chapters present a more-or-less the conventional
introduction to programming. The readers learn about variables, types, statements, conditionals, loops,
functions, recursion, classes and inheritance. In all the chapters, first the basic ideas are explained, and
then the reader is led through a process of experimentation that helps them find and test the limits of their
understanding.

Publisher’s Note
Remember to write to us. We look forward to receiving your feedback, comments, and ideas to enhance
the quality of this book. You can reach us at [email protected]. Please mention the title and
authors’ name as the subject. In case you spot piracy of this book, please do let us know.
 Unit 1
Introduction to Computing and
Algorithmic Problem Solving

Chapter 1: Introduction to Digital Computer

Chapter 2: Problem Solving Strategies
Appendix A: Practice Exercises with Algorithm and Flow Chart
Appendix B: Problem Solving Exercises with Algorithms & Pseudocode
 IntroductIon to
1 dIgItal computer

1.1 IntroductIon
In earlier days, the term “digital computer” was used to refer a person who drew mathematical tables and
solved complex calculations. In less than a human lifetime, computers have changed from massive, expensive
and unreliable calculators to the dependable and versatile machines that are now omnipresent in society.
Computers were once the size of rooms and used to take a day to change the program and now, it is just a
double click away. Computers help the impossible become possible. They have become a necessary tool in
today’s society. Without computers, it is hard to do pretty much anything. Computers process information in
1’s and 0’s (usually referred to as On and Off respectively). This operation identifies instructions in Binary
Code. This is the language understood by the computer to complete a command. By 1953, it was estimated
that there were almost 100 computers in the world.
It is believed that the first computer was invented in Berlin, Germany, in 1936.
● The Z1 was invented in 1936 by Konrad Zuse in Germany. This was a programmable machine that

was able to remember numbers. This process is now referred to as memory.

● IBM followed suit and introduced the Harvard Mark 1 which was completed at Harvard University in

1944. It was a large calculator. This computer was able to calculate many different types of numbers.
● With the advancement of technology and research, major companies like IBM, Apple, and Intel have

contributed to the explosion of the personal computers as we know today. For example, Apple 1 was
released in 1976 which was having memory of 4 KB expandable to 8 KB. The Macintosh was released
in 1984 which was having memory of 64 KB expandable to 256 KB.
● CSIRAC was the first computer to play digital music in 1949.

● UNIVAC 1 was used by CBS to predict the results of the 1952 presidential elections in USA.

● On December 2, 1954 IBM’s NORC calculated PI 3089 digits.

● In 1958, Jack Kilby invented the Integrated Circuit.

● COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language), one of the oldest programming languages, was

developed by Grace Murray Hopper in 1959,

● In 1962 Space War, the first computer game was written by MIT student Steve Russell.

● In 1975, the first personal computer Altair 8800 was invented.

● In 1976, Intel & Zilog introduced new microprocessors

4 Problem Solving and Python Programming

● Single - board computer known as apple -1 was designed by Steve Wozniak some more important
developments and was marketed by his friend Steve Jobs.
● In 1980 IBM introduced its Personal Computers (PC). The first IBM PC was known as IBM Model

5150, was based on a 4.77 MHz Intel 8088 microprocessor

● In 19993, Pentium microprocessor was released by Pentium followed by the release of Microsoft

window's NT
● In 1994 Sony entred the home gaming market with release of play station console.

● In 2006, Amazon web services launched cloud-based services.

A Personal Computer (PC) is a digital computer designed for the usage by one person at a time. PCs
can be classified into desktop computers, workstations and laptop computers. Today, PCs have five major
applications which are as follows:
1. Internet Browser: Internet browser is a software application used to access the Internet. For example,
Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, etc., are all Internet browsers.
2. Data Compression Software: Data compression software is used to reduce file size. ZIP is widely used
as the data compression software on personal computers.
3. Windows Media Player: Windows Media Player is used to create music libraries for listening music.
4. Image Editing Software: Image editing software is used to develop good quality pictures. Examples of
such software include Photoshop, Microsoft Publisher and Picasa.
5. Audio Editing Software: Audio editing software is used to edit audio files and also to add audio effects.

Check Your Understanding

1. What is a computer?
Ans. A computer is an electronic device capable of executing programs written in different languages.
2. What is the use of data compression software?
Ans. Data compression software is used to reduce file size.

Note The first personal computer was Altair 8800. Later IBM introduced IBM PC.

Computers have become an integral part of the society because of the following characteristics they
possess:
● A computer can perform millions of calculations in a second.

● A computer works with precision every time.

● A computer can store billions of bytes of information. For example, the capacity of a terabyte =

2,00,000 songs.
● A computer can work continuously without getting tired.

● A computer can be used to perform various tasks simultaneously.

● A computer will remember the information stored for as long as required.

 Introduction to Digital Computer 5

1.2 Von neumann concept

In early computers, the data and instructions were not stored in the same memory. However, such storage
became possible in the Von Neumann architecture, also known as “stored program” architecture because
it could store the program and instruction data in the same memory. In the Von Neumann architecture,
computers can perform complex operations within less time. Besides performing calculations, they can
manage to do a sequence of calculations as well. The basic structure of Von Neumann architecture consists
of the memory, processing unit and the control unit.
The characteristics of Von Neumann architecture are as follows:
1. The hardware system comprises the following:
● Memory: In Von Neumann architecture, there is a main memory system – Random Access
Memory (RAM) which holds the data or program.
● Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): As the name suggests, this is useful in arithmetic and logical
calculations such as addition, subtraction, division and comparisons.
● Control Unit: In the central processing unit (CPU), there is a control unit (CU) managing
the process of data or program. The execution of the program is done by the Control Unit. For
example, the fetch-decode-execution.
Input-Output System: Using this system, an input is given and output is generated after
●

execution. The information can be stored by using compact disk (CD), floppy, etc.
2. Data or programs are stored into the main memory.
3. Processing of instructions is sequential.

Note A process describes how the processor takes the data or program, decodes it and
finally executes it. The fetch-decode-execute cycle is also known as the Von Neumann
execution cycle.

Check Your Understanding

1. Who developed the basic architecture of computers?
Ans. John Von Neumann
2. What do the following terms stand for?
CPU, ALU, CU, RAM
Ans. CPU: Control Processing Unit
ALU: Arithmetic Logic Unit
CU: Control Unit
RAM: Random Access Memory

1.2.1 A Simple Model of the Computer

A Computer system has three basic components which are as follows:
Discovering Diverse Content Through
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The Project Gutenberg eBook of
The Seven Sleuths' Club
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SEVEN

SLEUTHS' CLUB ***
“I wish we had brought some snowshoes,” Merry
remarked.

The
Seven Sleuths’ Club
By CAROL NORTON

Author of
“The Phantom Yacht,” “Bobs, A Girl Detective,” etc.

The Saalfield Publishing Company

Akron, Ohio New York

Copyright MCMXXVIII
The Saalfield Publishing Co.
Printed in the United States of America
 CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
I. Enter the S. S. C. 3
II. Snow Maidens 9
III. A Merry Adventure 15
IV. Interesting News 29
V. A Mischievous Plan 36
VI. Milk Maids and Butter Churners 44
VII. An Unwilling Hostess 51
VIII. Three Letters 59
IX. A Returned Call 72
X. Wanted—A Housekeeper 80
XI. A Rebellious Boy 93
XII. A Sleigh-ride Party 98
XIII. A Bag of Gold 106
XIV. Two Conspirators 118
XV. A Boy’s Repentance 125
XVI. The Heart of a Snob 137
XVII. First Day in a New School 144
XVIII. A Mystery to Solve 153
XIX. Searching for Clues 163
XX. The Sleuths Sleuthing 171
XXI. A Valentine Party 183
XXII. A New Resolve 194
XXIII. A Proud Cook 201
XXIV. Kindness Rewarded 211
XXV. A Much Loved Girl 219
 XXVI. A Happy Reunion 225
XXVII. Home, Sweet Home 231

[3]

THE SEVEN SLEUTHS’ CLUB

 CHAPTER I.
ENTER THE S. S. C.

A musical gong, resounding through the corridors of the

Sunnyside seminary, was the signal for the opening of
doors and the trooping out of girls of all ages, in twos
and threes and groups; some with ribboned braids, a
few with long curls but most of them with saucy bobs.
It was a ten-minute recreation between changing
classes. Had it been summer, one and all would have
flocked out on the wide green lawns to play a game of
toss ball for a few merry moments, or to rest on
benches under the great old elms, or to saunter up and
down the flower-bordered paths, but, since it was a
wild, blustery day in January, the pupils of Miss
Demorest’s school for select young ladies contented
themselves, some of them with opening the heavy front
door and uttering little screams of pretended fear or of
sincere delight when a snow-laden gust brushed past
them, leaving those nearest with wind-tossed hair.

Six of them, having no curiosity, it would seem, [4]

concerning the weather, gathered about the wide
fireplace in the library for a few moments of hurried
gossip.
“Where’s Merry?” Peggy Pierce asked as she glanced
toward the open door that led into the music-room.
“She said we were to come in here and wait for her.
She’s made a wild and wonderful discovery, she told me
in class. If Miss Preens didn’t have eyes in the back of
her head, Merry would have told me what it was, but,
just as she was starting, around whirled that living
skeleton and pointed an accusing bony finger at us as
she moaned in that deep, uncanny voice of hers: ‘Miss
Marion Lee, one demerit for whispering. Miss Peggy
Pierce, one demerit for listening.’ Say, can you beat
that?”

“I don’t think she’s human,” Rosamond Wright declared,

her iris-blue eyes, round and serious. “Honest, true, I
think she has demoniacal powers.”

“That’s too much for me!” laughed little Betty Byrd. [5]
“Where do you learn such long words, Rose? I’m still
using monosyllables.”

“Sounds like it!” Bertha Angel commented.

“To return to the subject under discussion, where do

you suppose the president of the ‘S. S. C.’ is?” Peggy
Pierce glanced at her wrist watch, but, as usual, it had
stopped running.

“Time, Peg? According to my old reliable there’s just five

minutes more of recess and——” Doris Dreel broke off
to exclaim gleefully:

“Here she comes! Here’s Merry!” Then to the girl who,

laughing and towsled, appeared in the doorway leading
from the corridor, Rosamond cried: “What’s the big idea,
Merry? Didn’t you call a fireplace meeting for the very
minute after the gong rang, and now it’s time for the
next gong and we haven’t heard what you have to tell
us.”

But Merry, although she tried to look repentant, was

laughing so hard that still another moment was wasted
while she made an effort to compose herself. Down on a
comfortably upholstered chair she sank, thrusting her
feet out toward the blaze. She had laughed herself limp.

“What, pray tell, is the joke? I suppose you are aware of [6]
the fact that this is January the tenth and not April the
first?” Peggy could be quite sarcastic at times.

“O, I say, Peg, have a heart! I did mean to be here, but

just as I was leaving class the Living Skeleton laid a
bony hand on my shoulder and told me to remain in my
seat through the recess and think of my sins, and of
course I had to, but all I could think of was the peach of
a news-item which I have to impart, and so, the very
minute she left the room, I broke through that mob out
in the corridor and here I am.” Then, twinkling-eyed,
she looked up at the others who were standing about
her. “In a thousand years, not one of you could guess
what I’ve found out.”

“Heavens, Merry! Don’t start that old gag of yours,

trying to keep us in suspense. Out with it or the gong
will——” Peg’s conclusion was not heard, for the gong,
evidently hearing its cue, pealed out six malevolent
strokes.

“Tragic fate!” The culprit was too mischievous-looking to

seem sincerely repentant. “Terribly sorry, girls, but I’d
hate to spoil the thrill you’ll all get when you hear my
news by rattling it off in such a short time.”
“Well then, after school. What say?” Betty Byrd asked, [7]
but the gold-brown bobbed curls were being shaken.
“Can’t be done, my love. I’ve got to practice with
Professor Long-locks. Hadn’t opened my music book
since last week, and say, but didn’t he lay down the law!
If I won’t practice by myself,” says he, “then I shall
practice in his presence.” She drew a long face. “Heaven
pity me!” Then hurriedly, as they joined the throng in
the corridors, she whispered to Rose, who was next to
her: “Tomorrow will be Saturday. If I live till then, round
up the crowd and come over to my house after lunch
and be prepared to hear some news.”

“Merry Lee, are you whispering again?”

“Yes’m, Miss Liv—er—I mean, Miss Preens, but it was

awful important. Please excuse me this time and I will
try not to again offend.”

Such penitence was in the brown eyes that glanced

beseechingly up at the spindlingly tall monitress that for
the moment Miss Preens was almost inclined to accept
the apology. Herding forty girls to the study hall and
being sure that none of them whispered was rather of a
task, and, right at that very moment she was sure that
she saw two heads near the front suspiciously close
together, and so she pushed through the ranks, at least
a head and a half taller than any girl in the school.

“What a wife she’d make for an ogre!” Merry turned, [8]

laughing eyes, toward the girl following her.

It happened to be one of the seniors, and a blue ribbon

one at that, and so the humorous suggestion was not
met with appreciation.
Merry’s mental comment was, “When I get to be a
senior, at least I’ll be human.”

Just as they were entering the study hall for a brief

moment Betty Byrd was close. “I just can’t wait till
tomorrow,” the youngest member of the S. S. C.
whispered.

Merry put a warning finger on her lips. Betty glanced up

and saw the sharp eyes of Miss Preen turning in their
direction.

“Poor Miss Preen!” Merry thought as she sank into her

seat and drew a French book from her desk preparing
to study. “I wouldn’t be her, not for a million!”

[9]
 CHAPTER II.
SNOW MAIDENS

The picturesque village of Sunnyside had one main

road, wide, elm-shaded, which began at a beautiful hill-
encircled lake, and which from there climbed gently up
through the business part of town to the residential,
passed the orphanage, the fine old seminary for girls
and the even older academy for boys, and then led
through wide-open spaces, fertile farms, other scattered
villages and on to Dorchester, a large, thriving city forty
miles away. Merry Lee’s father was a builder and
contractor whose offices were in Dorchester, but whose
home was a comfortable old colonial house on the main
thoroughfare in the village of Sunnyside.

The large, square library of the Lee home was warm [10]
and cheerful on that blustery, blizzardy Saturday
afternoon. A log was snapping and crackling on the
hearth and a big slate-colored Persian cat on the rug
was purring loudly its content. A long lad, half reclining
on a window seat, was reading a detective story and
making notes surreptitiously now and then. At a wide
front window, Merry Lee stood drumming her fingers on
the pane and peering out at the whirling snow. A
chiming clock announced that the hour was three. “And
I told the crowd to be there by two-thirty at the latest.”
Although the girl had not really been addressing him,
the boy glanced up to remark: “Might as well give up,
Sis. Girls wouldn’t venture out in a storm like this; they
are like cats. They like to stay in where it’s warm and
comfy. Hey, Muff?” The puss, upon hearing its name,
opened one sleepy blue eye, looked at the boy lazily
and then dozed again.

Suddenly there was a peal of merry laughter. “Oh, Jack,”

his sister exclaimed gayly, “do look out of the window.
Did you ever before see such a funny procession?”

Jack looked and beheld coming in at the front gate five

maidens so covered with snow that it was impossible to
tell which was which.

Merry whirled to defy her brother. “Now, sir, you see [11]
girls aren’t afraid of a little blizzardly weather. I’m
certainly glad they came. I’d burst if I had to keep my
secret any longer.”

“Secret?” Jack’s voice held a rising inflection and he

looked up with interest, but Merry was on her way to
open the front door that Katie, the maid, need not be
summoned by the bell.

A gust of wind and a flurry of flakes first entered, then,

what a stamping as there was outside on the storm
porch.

“Hail! Hail! The gang’s all here!” Merry sang out, but
quickly added: “Oh, don’t mind about the snow. Come
on in. Katie put matting over the carpet.” Then as she
looked from one ruddy, laughing face to another, the
hostess exclaimed: “But you aren’t all here. What’s the
matter with Rose? Why didn’t she come?” Then before
anyone could reply, Merry guessed: “O, I suppose her
lady mother was afraid her precious darling would melt
or be blown away! I don’t see how Rose ever gets to
school in the winter. Her mother coddles her so!”

“Drives, my dear, as you know perfectly well, but it [12]

seems that today the snow-plough hasn’t been along
Willowbend Lane, and her mother won’t hear to having
the horses taken out. Rose tried to call you up, but your
’phone is on the blink, so she called me.” Peg paused for
breath, then went on: “She’s simply heart-broken; she
said she’d give us all the chocolates we could eat and a
nice hot drink if we’d beg, borrow or steal a sleigh
somewhere and hold our meeting out there at her
house.”

Merry’s face brightened. “Say, that’s a keen idea! I was

wondering how I could divulge my secret with Jack
hanging around in the library, and I couldn’t turn him
out very well, being as it’s about the only warm spot in
the house except the kitchen. What’s more, I’m crazy to
go for a tramp in this snow storm. Wait till I get on my
leggins and overshoes.”

They had not long to wait, for in less than five minutes
Merry reappeared from the cloakroom, under the wide,
winding stairway, a fur cap hiding her short curls, a fur
cloak reaching to her knees and her legs warmly
ensconced in leggins of the same soft grey. She opened
the door to the library and called to her brother, who
was again deeply engrossed in his book: “The ‘cats’ are
about to leave. We’ve decided to hold today’s most
important meeting of our secret society in the palatial
home of the Widow Wright. I am enlightening you as to
our destination, Brother dear, so that if we happen to be
lost in a snow drift, you will know where to come to dig
us out.”
Jack had leaped to his feet when he saw the merry [13]
faces of the five girls in the hall, but before he could
join them, they had darted out through the storm porch,
and the wind slammed the door after them.

The boy laughed to himself, then shrugged his

shoulders as though he was thinking that the modern
girl was beyond his comprehension. Then he returned to
the fireplace, dropped down into the comfortable depths
of a big easy chair and continued to read and scribble
alternately. He was preparing a paper to be read that
night before the secret society to which he belonged:
The C. D. C. The boys had long ago guessed the
meaning of the letters that named the girls’ club “The S.
S. C.”

“Dead easy!” Bob Angel had told them. “Sunny Side [14]
Club, of course.” But the girls had never been able to
guess the meaning of the boys’ “C. D. C.,” nor did they
know where the secret meetings were held. These
meetings were always at night, and, although Sunnyside
girls were modern as far as their conversation went;
due to their parents’ antiquaited ideas, perhaps, they
were not considered old enough to roam about the dark
streets of the town at night unless accompanied by their
brothers or someone older. And, of course, they couldn’t
find out the secret meeting-place of the boys when the
members were along, and so up to that particular date,
January 11, 1928, the seven “S. S. C.” girls had not
even a suspicion of where the boys’ clubrooms were
located.

They had vowed that they would ferrit it out if it took a

lifetime.

[15]
 CHAPTER III.
A MERRY ADVENTURE

The snow-plough had been along on the wide street

and sidewalks of the main thoroughfares of the town
and the girls had no trouble at all in making headway
through the residential and business parts of Sunnyside,
but when they turned toward the hills, on the west side
of the village, they found that the snow-ploughs had not
been so accommodating. Willowbend Lane was covered
with deep, soft snow and when Bertha Angel, who
chanced to be in the lead, tried to stand on it, she sank
down to her knees. Wading was out of the question.
Willowbend Lane was on the outskirts of town and it
was fully a mile back to the main road. They looked
ahead of them across the unbroken snow to where, on
a low hill, stood the big brownstone, turreted house in
which lived the wealthy Mrs. Irving Earle Wright and her
daughter, Rosamond.

“I wish we’d brought along some snowshoes,” Merry [16]

remarked. “I hate to let a storm stump me. Brother will
certainly tease us well if we go back without having
reached our destination.”

“I don’t think snowshoes would have helped us much,”

Bertha Angel commented. “It’s quite a feat to walk on
them until one gets on to the trick of it.”

“Hark ye!” Merry exclaimed, lifting a finger of her fur-

lined glove. “I hear sleigh bells! Somebody is coming,
and if that somebody’s destination happens to be up
Willowbend Lane, we’ll beg a ride.”

“What if it’s somebody we don’t know?” little Betty Byrd

ventured to inquire, to which Merry “How could it be?
Wasn’t I born here, and don’t I know everybody within
a million miles?”

“That sounds rather like hyperbole,” Bertha exclaimed.

“Like which?” Doris Drexel teased; then added:

“Wouldn’t Miss Preen be pleased to hear her prize pupil
rattle off that fine sounding word in——”

“Ssh! Ssh!” Merry’s hand was on Dory’s arm. “Our victim [17]
is now in sight. My, what a swell turnout! Some cutter
that, isn’t it?” The six girls had stepped to one side of
the road and were watching with interest the approach
of a large sleigh which was being drawn at a rapid pace
by two big white horses perfectly matched. The driver,
as they could discern as it drew nearer, was a young
man who was almost hidden in a big brown fur coat and
cap, but his eyes were peering out and he was amazed
to see a bevy of girls standing by the unbroken lane, so
evidently in distress.

Stopping his horses, he snatched off his fur cap and

revealed a frank, boyish face that had not been seen in
that neighborhood before.

“Young ladies,” he said courteously, “can you direct me

to the home of Colonel Wainwright? In the village they
told me to follow this road for a mile and then ask
someone which turn to take.”

“Oh, yes, we can tell you,” Merry replied. “This lane is a

short-cut to the Colonel’s place.”

The lad thanked her and was about to drive on; then he
hesitated and turned back.

“Young ladies,” he said, “I have always told my sister [18]

never to ride with strangers, but if your destination is in
this direction I would be glad to convey you to it. I am
Alfred Morrison of Dorchester.”

“Oh,” Merry exclaimed brightly, “my brother, Jack Lee, is

acquainted with you, I am sure. He goes to school in
the city.”

The boy’s good-looking face plainly showed his

pleasure. “Indeed I know old Jack well,” he exclaimed.
“We’re doing college prep work together. I planned
looking him up as soon as I had finished my business
call on the Colonel.”

Feeling sure that their mothers could not object, since

the strange boy was so well acquainted with Merry’s
brother, they swarmed into the luxurious sleigh, sitting
three deep, which but added to their gaiety. The horses
were obliged to travel slowly through the drifts, but they
soon came to a part of the lane where the wind had
blown the snow from the road to be caught at the
fences, and then they made better time. In a very few
moments the sleigh was turning in between two high
stone gate posts, as Merry had directed, and shortly
thereafter the six girls were tumbling out under a wide
sheltering portico. “We’re terribly grateful to you, Mr.
Morrison.” Merry exclaimed. “Maybe we’ll be able to pick
you up some time when you’re stranded somewhere.”

The boy laughed good-naturedly. “I hope I won’t have [19]

that long to wait before I can see you all again.” He
included the group in his smiling glance, then, because
the spirited horses were restive, he lifted his fur cap and
turned his attention toward the prancing span.

Laughingly the girls climbed up the stone steps and

were about to ring the bell when the door was thrown
open and their “prettiest member,” as Rose was often
called, welcomed them effusively.

“Say, but you missed the time of your young life,” Peggy
Pierce informed her as the girls removed their overshoes
and leggins in the storm vestibule. “Such a handsome
boy as we had to drive us up the lane.”

“O, you don’t have to tell me,” Rose laughingly replied. [20]
“I was standing in the drawing-room window watching
you from the time you appeared at the foot of the lane.
If you had turned back, I should have been simply
heart-broken. Mother thinks that I have a cold, and she
wouldn’t let Tony drive me to town, and, of course, I
can’t use my runabout in weather like this.” Then, when
cloaks and caps had been removed and they were
gathered about the wide fireplace in Rose’s very own
sitting-room, that maiden passed around a five-pound
box of chocolates to keep the first part of her promise;
then she demanded: “Merry Lee, you haven’t told the
others your exciting news yet, have you?”

Bertha Angel answered for their president: “Nary an

inkling of it. Truth to tell, we didn’t even ask her. I guess
we all thought we’d rather wait until the meeting was
called.”

“Oh, I say, let’s cut out formality, for once, can’t we?”
Peggy Pierce implored. “Why read the minutes of the
last meeting when all we did was entertain the little
orphans with a big Christmas tree?”

“All?” Gertrude West lifted her eyebrows questioningly.

“I believe, if you left it to the orphans, they would tell
you that we did a whole lot to add to their Christmas
cheer.”

“Sure thing we did, I’ll acknowledge that, but——”

“Come to order, if you please!” the president tapped on [21]

the arm of her chair, which was upholstered in rose-
colored brocade as were the other chairs and the gilt-
framed sofa piled high with silken pillows. “We’ll omit
reading the minutes, because we really mustn’t stay
long. It gets dark so early this month and we’ll have to
wade back through the lane. And we won’t call the roll,
because, of course, we know that we’re all here, so,
since I believe you are properly curious, I will now tell
my news-item. I, Marion Margaret Lee, have discovered
the meaning of the letters ‘C. D. C.,’ and, what is mere,
I now know what the boys do at their secret meetings.”

“Merry, do you really? How ever did you find out? I’ve
asked Bob over and over to tell me, but he has always
refused and has actually declared that we girls never
would know.”

“Well,” their president said, “we do know, at least in [22]

part. I hate eavesdropping just as much as anyone, but
when Jack himself shut me in the stuffy little room off
the library where we store our old magazines and
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