ANTICIPATION 69 



of decorations with another. Cakes, buttered 

 buns, and sweeties are heaped upon the table, and 

 between them on the white cloth are gay-looking 

 crackers. The farmer's boys and the little fair- 

 haired Dorothy stand crowded together in the 

 doorway of the back kitchen beyond, shyly waiting 

 to watch my face of pleasure. 



But there is a gentle rustle upon the stairs, and I 

 must not betray too much what a youngster I am 

 at heart ! Stealthily I slip back into the darkened 

 parlour to perform my office of Recorder to the 

 party. As I settle myself on the sofa to await 

 surprises, a slender figure, shrouded in a dark cloak, 

 enters and in a somewhat plaintive voice says, 

 " Oh, dear ! I do feel so uncomfortable, for I could 

 not get enough material for the price, and my 

 clothes are so tight I am dreadfully afraid of 

 splitting them." Here I must explain that this 

 forced economy is part of the enjoyment of the 

 fancy fair ! An order was issued, and accom- 

 panied all invitations, to the effect that not more 

 than one shilling was to be spent upon each cos- 

 tume. An extra prize was to be given to the dress 

 which cost the fewest number of pence. Thus 

 arose the temptation, to which my friend in the 

 long cloak had doubtless succumbed, of skimping 

 the material in order to win this much-coveted 

 prize. In vain I try to reassure her and express a 

 firm conviction that when her cloak is discarded 

 and she feels quite at home in her dress, all will go 

 well, and no more splits will occur. I am not 

 inquisitive, but I confess that in talking to her I 

 am seized with sudden curiosity as to what is really 



