342 



RECREA TION. 



bluebirds rested themselves on a twig 

 settee and enjoyed a quiet flirtation dur- 

 ing the dance, and many a choice fat 

 worm did the young swain bring from 

 the refreshment room to his fair fiancee. 

 The tables were decorated in pink, yel- 

 low and blue, corresponding with the 

 costumes of the flowers, who served 

 them. 



The menu, though simple, was of the 

 choicest description, for the taste of 



each guest had been carefully consid- 

 ered. There were scarlet cherries for 

 the robin, the first in the market ; there 

 were luscious berries of all descriptions, 

 grass seeds and grains, and corn for the 

 crow. There were all the finest varie- 

 ties of worms, and the flowers had pre- 

 pared golden honey for bumble bee 

 and humming bird. No wine was 

 served, but cool dew-drops sparkled 

 in delicately embossed acorn cups. 

 When tired with the dance the guests 

 made a merry company at the tables, 

 and the babbling, buzzing, chirping, 

 chattering, cooing, cawing, whistling 

 and hooting would have distracted 

 any other hostess. But sweet, serene 

 and smiling Mother Nature enjoyed 

 it all. 



After the repast, bobolink, who had 

 learned the Virginia Reel during his 

 residence in the South, insisted on 

 the entire company joining in this 

 dance, which so wearied every one that 

 they were glad to retire from the floor. 

 Then they thanked their gracious hos- 

 tess warmly for her delightful reception, 

 and each couple departed to the home 

 nest, where the babies had just waked 

 up. The flower children were soon 

 resting quietly, the sunlight was turned 

 out, only candles being burned during 

 the night, and perfect stillness reigned 

 once more in Dame Nature's home. 



