“Humph! Do you mean you’re going to wear bathing suits, or cannibal costumes?” laughed Billy.
“Oh, a little more material than those take, I hope!” laughed Aunt Edith, while appreciating her nephew’s quick wit.
“Wish we had thought of bathing suits—we could have saved much expense and time,” said Uncle Tom, regretfully.
“I think you ought to tell us what you are going in!” persisted Billy.
“Ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no lies!” retorted Uncle Tom, and there the matter rested.
That night the wild uproar in Mose’s tent testified to the time the two bears attacked him. The rest of the family rushed affrightedly over to rescue the valuable cook, but found him upon the floor of his tent writhing in convulsions of fear with two savage bears thumping on top of him.
A veil must be drawn over that harrowing scene, but Mrs. Remington wondered whether her chef was quaking in a fit of terror or only shaking in laughter—especially as he had seen Anna sewing on the two costumes for the bears.
CHAPTER NINE
THE NIGHT OF THE MASKED BALL
THE night so anxiously anticipated came at last. As there was no moon everything lay in velvety blackness. This was considered opportune as it helped to hide the maskers when the launches landed them on the wharf of Isola Bella.