“How do you know these things, Patty? You’re too young for such worldly wisdom.”
“Oh, women are born with a spirit of contrariness. And, anyway, it’s human nature. Now, you jolly Mona up, and stop looking as if you’d lost your last friend,—and then see how the cat jumps. Why, what is Hal Ferris doing?”
The Lord of Misrule had jumped up on a table, and was flourishing his sceptre, and announcing that he would now issue a few decrees, and they must immediately be obeyed.
He said the audience wished to see some well-acted plays, and he would ask some of the guests present to favour them.
“As these dramas are necessarily impromptu,” he said, “you will please come forward and do your parts as soon as your names are called. Any delay, hesitation, or tardiness will be punished to the full extent of the Law of Misrule. The first play, ladies and gentlemen, will be a realistic representation of the great tragedy of ‘Jack and Jill.’ It will be acted by Mr. Van Reypen and Miss Fairfield. Ready! Time!”
Philip and Patty went forward at once, for though they had had no intimation of this act, they were quite ready to take their part in the merriment.
Philip caught up one of the glass baskets which he had brought up for gifts, and declared that represented their pail.
“It isn’t mine!” cried Daisy. “I don’t want mine smashed!”
“No matter what happens,” returned Philip, “we must be realistic.”
“Here, take this instead,” said Jim Kenerley, offering an antique copper bucket, which was one of his pet pieces.