Before the lanciers ended most of the maskers were identified and therefore were known by their Christian names. The Pasha, however, insisted upon the deference due his rank and resented the familiar appellation of “Uncle Bill.”
Suddenly, from the admiring circle drawn up about the Grand Pasha, Miriam’s voice piped forth: “Why, papa! You’ve got on mamma’s sunburst of diamonds!”
“S-sh—you impertinent Jap! Don’t you know that Girlie Girl hasn’t discovered my decoration? Let me bask in its rays while I may,” came from the Pasha in wary accents.
At that moment the Tin Knight rattled up while the Polar Bear growled out, “Listen to the Ford Car approaching.”
As Red Riding Hood turned to watch the Knight in Armour trying to keep his tin-can plates in order, a revelation came to her and she cried, “Oh, now I know what all that hammering in the pump-house was for! But where did you find all the old empty cans, Fred?”
The concertina now squawked out to its full length and caused every one to choose a mate for the dance. Captain Benton bawled, “All ready for a polker,” and started the musical atrocity wheezing. At the same time his body swayed and pitched like a ship in a storm, keeping time with every long-drawn out extension of the bellows. As his vivid imagination pictured the old-time dances he used to step so merrily with his best girl, the faster sounded the wails from the concertina and more erratic grew the time, until finally, the dance ended in a wild riot.
Uncle Bill decided this was the time to calm excitement by refreshing the inner man, particularly as the little tots had to go to bed. So every one trooped down to the well-filled laundry table where Mose was kept busy handing our refreshments. Then once more back in the attic, the fun waxed fast and furious until Uncle Tom called for attention!
“I am now about to distribute slips of paper for each one to write down the name of the costume considered the winner. Whoever receives the most votes will be presented with a prize. The one considered having the funniest or oddest costume will also receive a prize.”
This announcement was received with loud acclamations of satisfaction and surprise, for it was not known before. During the comparative quiet while all were pondering the merits of the costumes, a loud “Boom! Bang” came like a blast from the back bay.
Every one rushed to the eastern windows of the attic and Captain Ed, being there first, yelled, “Fire! Fire!”