“There were such lots of things brought,” chattered Meg, as her mother buttoned her into the new white frock and Aunt Polly tied her hair-ribbon. “They liked your potatoes, Dot.”
“And my popcorn?” asked Twaddles anxiously.
The twins, not to be cheated out of the fun, had insisted on sending Thanksgiving gifts, too.
“Yes, they thought that was great,” said 179 Bobby, shining and neat in his new suit. “Hurry, Meg.”
“Come early and get good seats,” called Meg as they trotted off.
At exactly two o’clock the whole school marched into the assembly room and took the seats reserved for them. The first and second grades were seated on the platform, because experience had taught the teachers that some of the younger children invariably fell either up or down the platform steps if they had anything at all to do with them. On one side of the platform the school committee sat, headed by Rufus Hornbeck.
Bobby’s recitation followed the first song, and he and the five boys with him breathed a great sigh of relief when they were through and went back to their seats free to enjoy the rest of the afternoon.
Then came more songs and more recitations, and then finally it was Meg’s turn. She had discovered where her father and mother and Aunt Polly and the twins were sitting, and when she came out to speak she looked straight at them 180 and smiled. And the five verses were as straight and clear in her mind as though she were reciting them to Mother Blossom in the sitting room at home.
“What a dear little girl, and what a pretty dress!” said an old lady sitting back of the Blossoms, as Meg made her little bow at the end and the room broke into hearty applause.
Twaddles turned around to beam approvingly at the old lady.