There was much whispering, giggling and comment outside before the procession was ready to move. “We must have some sort of system about it,” said Mary Lee, “and not straggle in anyhow.”
“Siegfried!” breathed Nan as Mr. Wells, with his fur rugs draped over his shoulders, and a horn slung in place, came up to her.
“Brunhilde!” he exclaimed at sight of her helmet, shield and the coat of mail manufactured principally of silver paint. “You are wonderful. I don’t see how you managed.” He looked her up and down admiringly.
“Did you guess I would be Brunhilde?” she asked shyly.
“Not I. Did you guess I would be Siegfried?”
“No, indeed.”
“Isn’t it a coincidence? We must march in together.”
“You tallest ones go in first,” suggested Mary Lee.
So to the glad call of the “Son of the Woods” Brunhilde and Siegfried stepped off followed by Daniella as a cow-girl with rough shirt, big felt hat and pistols in her belt, Hartley as King of Hearts being her escort. Over his dress of white, on which red hearts were pasted, he wore a long red cloak, ermine-edged, and on his head a pasteboard crown. Mary Lee in Greek dress came next with Ran as a gondolier, then Effie as a Puritan Priscilla and Ashby as a Pierrot. The twins brought up the rear, Jack in the dress she had worn when sitting for the picture and Jean as a Brownie, her eyes opened very wide and her mouth stretched in a set smile. A peaked cap with cape covered her head and shoulders, and her body was clothed with the same brown stuff.
Nan had an idea in the presentation and improvised a jingle which she started up to the tune of the song in Der Freischütz when the maidens sing to Agathe before her wedding wreath is put on. Each girl bobbed a little curtsey as the foolish gifts were presented. Gewgaws of the most ornate kind they were. A huge ring with glass setting for Dr. Paul matched by a brooch of similar style for Jo. Handkerchiefs of giddy colors and coarse texture, framed pictures, hideously inartistic, and boxes of cheap confectionery. A laugh followed the opening of each gift, and they were displayed in the most obvious manner.