“Come, now a rounded and a fairy song;
Then for the third part of a minute, hence;
Some to kill cankers in the musk-rose buds,
Some war with rere-mice for their leathern wings
To make my small elves coats, and some keep back
The clamorous owl that nightly hoots and wonders.
At our quaint spirits. Sing me now asleep;
Then to your offices and let me rest.”
“Fine, Lilian,” said Isabel, applauding. “Are you glad you decided on Midsummer Night’s Dream?”
“Yes, indeed; it is going to be too pretty outdoors, the fairies and everything, and the costumes are perfectly lovely. Miss Randolph bought new ones, because they have never given this before, and she is gradually getting a good collection of costumes. Patty and the other English teachers are just crazy about it.”
“I should think that they would be really crazy by the time all the practicing and drilling are over. Don’t you think that Patty looks thin, Cathalina?”
“Yes, Isabel, and it is no wonder. I heard that she is going to France this summer, but I have not said a word to her about it. She will tell us if she is.”
“Why, Lilian,” said Hilary, who was reading the play, “you are all wrong about not coming in until the third act, second scene. It is the second act, scene one.”
Lilian looked over Hilary’s shoulder at the text. “Sure enough. I forgot my converse with Oberon. That is what Mrs. Norris is scolding us for, just learning our parts, without having the whole play in mind, but we have so many other things to do. It is a good thing that the senior examinations are all over so early. I don’t know what I would do without senior week. I wish Mother and Father could come for Commencement week. They would love seeing the play and all, at least Mother would.”
“Can’t they come?”
“No, not without risking not being in New York when the boys leave. Dick is expected to be sent over at any time now.”
“Aunt Hilary is coming,” said Hilary, “but Father and Mother will not this time. Aunt Hilary was the one who wanted me to come to Greycliff.”