"Oh," said Dolly, who irrepressibly was following her brothers into the throng, "they won't really shoot anybody, will they?"
"Oh no, they'll only fire powder, of course," said Bill majestically, "don't you know that?"
Dolly was rebuked and relieved at once.
"I say, boys," said Nabby, appearing suddenly among the throng, "your ma says you must come right home to breakfast this minit; and you, Dolly Cushing, what are you out here for, round among the fellers like a tom-boy? Come right home."
"Why, Nabby, I wanted to see!" pleaded Dolly.
"Oh yes, you're allers up to everything and into everything, and your hair not brushed nor nothin'. You'll see it all in good time—come right away. Don't be a-lookin' at them trainers, now," she added, giving herself, however, a good observing glance to where across the green a knot of the Poganuc Rangers were collecting, and where Hiel, in full glory of his uniform, with his gold epaulets and cocked hat, was as busy and impressive as became the situation.
"Oh, Nabby, do look; there's Hiel," cried Dolly.
"Yes, yes; I see plain enough there's Hiel," said Nabby; "he thinks he's mighty grand, I suppose. He'll be conceiteder'n ever, I expect."
Just at that moment Hiel, recognizing Nabby, took off his gold-laced hat and bowed with a graceful flourish.