“Yes,” answered John; “these rosettes on the chairs, that band, and——”
“Oh!” Ross exclaimed. “That?” He fingered the band on the stovepipe as if he saw it for the first time. “Yes; I see.”
“But what are they for?” asked Harkless, touching one of the streamers curiously.
“Why—it's—it's likely meant for decorations.”
John picked up the ink-well, staring in complete amazement at the hard knot of ribbon with which it was garnished.
“They seem to have been here some time.”
“They have; I reckon they're almost due to be called in. They've be'n up ever sence—sence——”
“Who put them up, Ross?”
“We did.”
“What for?”