They sat in state in the veranda-chairs, as on a reviewing-stand, while the grand parade marched and countermarched on the lawn in front of them.
"All over!" cried Cousin Jack, at last. "Break ranks!"
The company dispersed, and Sarah returned, giggling, to her duties.
"Such a foine man as Misther Bryant do be!" she said to the cook. "Shure, he's just like wan of the childher."
And so he was. Full of patriotic enthusiasm, Cousin Jack set off bombs and firecrackers, until the elder Maynards declared that their ears ached, and the roisterers must come in to breakfast.
"I must go home," announced their guest. "I have a wife and six small children dependent on me for support."
As a matter of fact, the Bryants had no children, and Mrs. Maynard declared she should telephone for Cousin Ethel to come to breakfast, too, so Cousin Jack consented to stay.
The breakfast party was an unexpected addition to the day's festivities, but Mrs. Maynard was equal to the occasion. She scurried around and found flags to decorate the table, and tied a red, white, and blue balloon to the back of each chair, which gave the room a gay appearance.
The vigorous exercise had produced good appetites, and full justice was done to Ellen's creamed chicken and hot rolls and coffee.
"Who's for a dip in the ocean?" asked Cousin Jack, when breakfast was over.