TOM, Charley, and Sue were making a visit to their cousins, and it was rather trying to have a rainy day. In the first place, it was in the spring, and they had expected to have a delightful ramble after early flowers that very morning; in the next place, the house was a small one, and there were eight children besides the older people who lived in it, so there was not room for any very extensive in-door plays. Who wanted to sit down and read in all that hubbub, or to play "What is my thought like?" or "Capping Poetry," when the snow was all gone?
Whatever feelings were entertained by the young people, they were fully, though secretly, reciprocated by the older ones, who thought with dismay of what their ears must endure before the sun shone again.
Therefore, when Charley flung up his cap, (which he always had conveniently by him, even in the house, notwithstanding his mother's lessons upon good manners,) and shouted, "I have it! Let's have an exhibition in the barn!" the proposition was received with universal acclamation.
It was Charley's private idea that since the number of children was much greater than the number of "grown-ups," as he irreverently called them, it would be more satisfactory, and more like a real exhibition, if some of the little ones were to act as audience instead of performers. But Charley was a very kindhearted boy, and did not like to say this, so he consulted his Aunt Mary on the subject.
"Ah, my dear," said she, "to be sure it would be more like a real exhibition if you should do so, but I don't think it would be more satisfactory. I think you will give satisfaction to a greater number of people by letting all take part."
"Done," said Charley, running into the room where the other children were.
"Boys and girls come out to play
In the barn upon the hay,
Hooray!"
And the eleven took up their line of march in the proposed direction.