Part 4 (1/2)

At length the time came to cut the birthday cake. The seven candles upon it had remained lighted during the repast and Mr. Allen put them out before dividing it; he was just going to extinguish the last one, when Master Bo jumped on the table, regardless of all propriety, and cried out, ”Oh, Papa, let me blow out the middle candle, that is a blessed one and I want to breathe the holy smoke.”

There was a hearty laugh at this and Father Leonard enjoyed the joke more than any one. When he could manage to speak after the hilarity had subsided he asked: ”Bo, why did you want to breathe the holy smoke?”

”Because,” answered the boy, ”Hetty says the mischief spirit is in me, and I wanted to smoke it out.” Again there was an outburst of laughter, although only the older folks understood the wit of Bo's remark.

After supper the children prepared for the entertainment. Those who were to speak or sing went with Aunty Lucy and Miss May to have some last finis.h.i.+ng touches put to their toilet, and make sure they remembered their pieces.

The end of the piazza had been arranged as a stage. Three large j.a.panese screens formed a back ground and an arch of white climbing roses and honey suckles served instead of a drop curtain. Groups of electric lamps had been placed so as to have the light fall directly on the little actors. Chairs and benches for the audience were arranged on the lawn just opposite the arch. At half past eight o'clock, it was sufficiently dark to bring out the illumination on the piazza, so the show began.

The first scene represented Amy seated on a chair, which was draped with gilt paper, festooned with flowers and resembled a veritable golden throne. From behind the scene came seven children carrying flowers and singing:

We come, we come from hill and dell To welcome her we love so well.

We come on wings of silver light, For 'tis our Amy's festal night.

We bring her from our fairy bowers Tiny buds and opening flowers, In mystic language they all shall tell We love our darling Amy well.

Then one of the little girls placed a crown of Lilies of the Valley on the little queen's head, and the other children laid their flowers at her feet.

This was a total surprise to Amy, for the children had been told not to let her know they were learning the song; her sweet face was a study while she received the homage of her little friends, but she was equal to the occasion, and rising from her seat made a profound bow and said, ”Thank you! Oh! I thank you so much.” After this came a violin solo by Adolph Lane, which was extremely well rendered. Edith Scot and her brother danced the ”Sailors' Hornpipe” dressed in fancy costume.

Bolax and his chum, Robbie Thornton, spoke Whitcomb Riley's ”When the World Busts Through.” Suggested by an earthquake.

Where's a boy a-goin'; An' what's he goin' to do, And how's he goin' to do it When the world busts through?

Ma says ”she can't tell What we're comin' to!”

An' Pop says, ”He's jest skeered Clean-plum through.”

Second Boy.

Suppose we'd be a playin'

Out in the street, An' the ground 'nd split up 'Bout forty feet!

Ma says, ”She jest knows We 'ud tumble in;”

An' Pop's says, ”Bet you, Den you wouldn't grin.”

First Boy.

S'pose we'd jest be pretendin'

Like we had a show, Down in the stable Where we mustn't go-- Ma says, ”the earthquake Might make it fall;”

An' Pop says, ”more'n like Swaller barn an' all.”

Landy! ef we wuz Runin' away from school, Down in the shady woods Where it's all so cool!

Ma says ”a big tree Might squash our head;”

An' Pop says, ”chop 'em out Both killed-dead.”

Both Boys.

But where is a boy a-goin', An' what's he goin' to do, An' how's he going' to do it, Er the world bust through.