74 THE ADMIRAL'S TEA-PARTY 



Night," arranged with white and red crinkly paper 

 and trimmed with wreaths of real ivy, carried off 

 one prize, and " The Fortune-Teller " another, for 

 her costume was partly draped with coloured 

 paper, and on her head was a chamois duster, so 

 well arranged that it reminded me of an Italian 

 peasant's picturesque head-dress. Then the little, 

 slender, quiet, grey Quakeress was attractive, and 

 so was " Night," who was clad in a very thin black 

 material that cost but \d. per yard and had silver 

 paper stars and moons stuck on it. I think 

 Britannia acted her part as well as any, for she is 

 tall and handsome, with a stately presence. The 

 Admiral made her a beautiful speech, and said that 

 at such a moment, whilst the cannon of Europe 

 were thundering, we felt that, in any case, we must 

 offer her a prize, although we knew that victory 

 would speedily be hers. 



Just then one of the sailors handed a telegram 

 upon a salver, but the Admiral never soils his 

 white gloves by opening such things and therefore 

 he gave it to another sailor, who tore the envelope 

 apart for him. The message was read aloud : " A 

 gloriously happy evening to you all from the West 

 Wind, whose good wishes are with you although 

 forced to be absent." A little tremor of dis- 

 appointment went through the audience as the 

 Admiral asked, " You all know who sent that ? " 

 Yes, indeed, we know and love right well the little 

 Fairy Patron and Friend who inspires so many of 

 our " Make Believe " parties. 



As I go out into the hushed silence of night and 

 leave these happy, childish spirits still singing and 



