He made the fairy princess a little bow and she gave him her hand and they tripped down the line and back while the others looked at them. Beyond a doubt they wore the handsomest costumes, and Elizabeth Ann’s heart began to thump a little with excitement. Suppose Roger Calendar should win the first prize?
“Now, before we have the games, we’ll award the prizes, and then we’ll unmask,” said Aunt Nan, turning around on the piano bench.
“Who wins the first prize for the girl’s prettiest costume?” she asked, reaching under the piano bench and bringing out three boxes tied with orange ribbon and wrapped in black paper.
“The fairy princess!” shouted the boys and girls as with one voice.
“Oh, dear!” Aunt Nan sighed. “I hate to have Catherine win her own prize. We’ll have to see what can be done about that. Unmask, Catherine.”
Catherine took off her mask and shook back her hair. Her face was flushed with triumph and excitement as they clapped for her.
“And which boy wins first prize for the handsomest costume?” asked Aunt Nan, holding up a box.
My goodness, they almost shouted the answer.
“Chinese Mandarin!” they cried, “Chinese Mandarin!” and Elizabeth Ann noticed that Catherine was shouting as loudly as the rest.
“Unmask, Mandarin,” commanded Aunt Nan, smiling. “You get the prize.”