"This is really astonishing," muttered Frank, repressing his laughter with difficulty as he started down the steps.
"Oh, what's the matter with them, Merry?" asked Inza.
"Now don't get worried, dear," he answered, over his shoulder. "The sun is very warm to-day, and I'm afraid they're suffering from it. We must get them into the shade before they have sunstroke. Come on, fellows."
Assisted by the boys, the three old men were lifted to their feet and escorted into the shade beneath the spreading trees in front of the house.
Uncle Eb poked Elnathan in the ribs with his cane.
"Come on now with that speech, deacon," he urged. "You're the speechmaker of the party."
Elnathan cleared his throat.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, "this is a grand and glorious day. This is the day when that grand and glorious bird, the American eagle, should plume itself with pride and utter a scream that could be heard from the Pacific to the Atlantic, from the Gulf to the Canadian border."
"Hooray! hooray!" piped Eli Given. "That's the talk, deacon. Spatter it on thick!"
"We are sons of free men," continued Elnathan, making a gesture that nearly caused him to lose his balance. "The Declaration of Independence and the Emancipation Proclamation made us all free and equal. If there be one among you who is not stirred by this glorious thought, let him hide his head in shame. This is the day on which the whole country rejoices at the birth of liberty. Let the cannons boom! Let the rockets siz! Let the pinwheels whiz! And let the popcorn pop!"