The boys had been up very early to prepare theshow, and when it was ready enjoyed it hugely, forthe fresh wind made the pennons cut strange capers.

 

　　The winged lion of Venice looked as if trying to flyaway home; the Chinese dragon appeared to brandishhis forked tail as he clawed at the Burmese peacock;the double-headed eagle of Russia pecked at theTurkish crescent with one beak, while the otherseemed to be screaming to the English royal beast,"Come on and lend a paw." In the hurry of hoistingthe Siamese elephant got turned upside down,and now danced gayly on his head, with the stars andstripes waving proudly over him. A green flag witha yellow harp and sprig of shamrock hung in sight ofthe kitchen window, and Katy, the cook, got breakfastto the tune of "St. Patrick's day in the morning."Sancho's kennel was half hidden under a rustlingpaper imitation of the gorgeous Spanish banner, andthe scarlet sun-and-moon flag of Arabia snapped andflaunted from the pole over the coach-house, as adelicate compliment to Lita, Arabian horses beingconsidered the finest in the world.

 

　　The little girls came out to see, and declared it wasthe loveliest sight they ever beheld, while Thornyplayed "Hail Columbia" on his fife, and Ben, mountingthe gate-post, crowed long and loud like a happycockerel who had just reached his majority. He hadbeen surprised and delighted with the gifts he foundin his room on awaking and guessed why Miss Celiaand Thorny gave him such pretty things, for amongthem was a match-box made like a mouse-trap. Thedoggy buttons and the horsey whip were treasures,indeed, for Miss Celia had not given them when theyfirst planned to do so, because Sancho's return seemedto be joy and reward enough for that occasion. Buthe did not forget to thank Mrs. Moss for the cake shesent him, nor the girls for the red mittens which theyhad secretly and painfully knit. Bab's was long andthin, with a very pointed thumb, Betty's short andwide, with a stubby thumb, and all their mother'spulling and pressing could not make them look alike,to the great affliction of the little knitters. Ben,however, assured them that he rather preferred odd ones,as then he could always tell which was right andwhich left. He put them on immediately and wentabout cracking the new whip with an expression ofcontent which was droll to see, while the childrenfollowed after, full of admiration for the hero of theday.

 

　　They were very busy all the morning preparing forthe festivities to come, and as soon as dinner was overevery one scrambled into his or her best clothes asfast as possible, because, although invited to come attwo, impatient boys and girls were seen hoveringabout the avenue as early as one.

 

　　The first to arrive, however, was an uninvitedguest, for just as Bab and Betty sat down on theporch steps, in their stiff pink calico frocks and whiteruffled aprons, to repose a moment before the partycame in, a rustling was heard among the lilacs, andout stepped Alfred Tennyson Barlow, looking like asmall Robin Hood, in a green blouse with a silverbuckle on his broad belt, a feather in his little capand a bow in his hand.

 

　　"I have come to shoot. I heard about it. Mypapa told me what arching meant. Will there beany little cakes? I like them."With these opening remarks the poet took a seatand calmly awaited a response. The young ladies,I regret to say, giggled, then remembering theiimanners, hastened to inform him that there would beheaps of cakes, also that Miss Celia would not mindhis coming without an invitation, they were quite sure.

 

　　"She asked me to come that day. I have beenvery busy. I had measles. Do you have themhere?" asked the guest, as if anxious to comparenotes on the sad subject.

 

　　"We had ours ever so long ago. What have youbeen doing besides having measles?" said Betty,showing a polite interest.

 

　　"I had a fight with a bumble-bee.""Who beat?" demanded Bab.

 

　　"I did. I ran away and he couldn't catch me.""Can you shoot nicely?

 

　　"I hit a cow. She did not mind at all. I guessshe thought it was a fly.""Did your mother know you were coming?" askedBab, feeling an interest in runaways.

 

　　"No; she is gone to drive, so I could not askher.""It is very wrong to disobey. My Sunday-schoolbook says that children who are naughty that waynever go to heaven," observed virtuous Betty, in awarning tone.

 

　　"I do not wish to go," was the startling reply.

 

　　"Why not?" asked Betty, severely.

 

　　"They don't have any dirt there. My mammasays so. I am fond of dirt. I shall stay here wherethere is plenty of it," and the candid youth began togrub in the mould with the satisfaction of a genuineboy.

 

　　"I am afraid you're a very bad child.""Oh yes, I am. My papa often says so and he knowsall about it," replied Alfred with an involuntarywriggle suggestive of painful memories. Then,as if anxious to change the conversation from itssomewhat personal channel, he asked, pointing to arow of grinning heads above the wall, "Do you shootat those?"Bab and Betty looked up quickly and recognizedthe familiar faces of their friends peering down atthem, like a choice collection of trophies or targets.

 

　　"I should think you'd be ashamed to peek beforethe party was ready!" cried Bab, frowning darklyupon the merry young ladies.

 

　　"Miss Celia told us to come before two, and beready to receive folks, if she wasn't down," addedBetty, importantly.

 

　　"It is striking two now. Come along, girls;" andover scrambled Sally Folsom, fo11owed by three orfour kindred spirits, just as their hostess appeared.

 

　　"You look like Amazons storming a fort," shesaid, as the girls cattle up, each carrying her bow andarrows, while green ribbons flew in every direction.

 

　　"How do you do, sir? I have been hoping youwould call again," added Miss Celia, shaking handswith the pretty boy, who regarded with benigninterest the giver of little cakes.

 

　　Here a rush of boys took place, and further remarkswere cut short, for every one was in a hurry tobegin. So the procession was formed at once, MissCelia taking the lead, escorted by Ben in the post ofhonor, while the boys and girls paired off behind,arm in arm, bow on Shoulder, in martial array.

 

　　Thorny and Billy were the band, and marched before,fifing and drumming "Yankee Doodle" with avigor which kept feet moving briskly, made eyessparkle, and young hearts dance under the gaygowns and summer jackets. The interesting strangerwas elected to bear the prize, laid out on a red pin-cushion; and did so with great dignity, as he wentbeside the standard bearer, Cy Fay, who bore Ben'schoicest flag, snow-white, with a green wreathsurrounding a painted bow and arrow, and with theletters W. T. C. done in red below.

 

　　Such a merry march all about the place, out at theLodge gate, up and down the avenue, along the windingpaths, till they halted in the orchard, where thetarget stood, and seats were placed for the archerswhile they waited for their turns. Various rules andregulations were discussed, and then the fun began.

 

　　Miss Celia had insisted that the girls should beinvited to shoot with the boys; and the lads consentedwithout much concern, whispering to one another withcondescending shrugs, "Let 'em try, if th@y like; theycan't do any thing."There were various trials of skill before the greatmatch came off, and in these trials the young gentlemendiscovered that two at least of the girls could dosomething; for Bab and Sally shot better than manyof the boys, and were well rewarded for their exertionsby, the change which took place in the faces andconversation of their mates.

 

　　"Why, Bab, you do as well as if I'd taught youmyself," said Thorny, much surprised and notaltogether pleased at the little girl's skill.

 

　　"A lady taught me; and I mean to beat every oneof you," answered Bab, saucily, while her sparklingeyes turned to Miss Celia with a mischievoustwinkle in them.

 

　　"Not a bit of it," declared Thorny, stoutly; but hewent to Ben and whispered, "Do your best, oldfellow, for sister has taught Bab all the scientificpoints, and the little rascal is ahead of Billy.""She won't get ahead of me," said Ben, pickingout his best arrow, and trying the string of his bowwith a confident air which re-assured Thorny, whofound it i............