"My cousin in Boston--that is, she isn't my real cousin, but a step-cousin by marriage--was at a concert once, and she made an awfully good joke. I don't remember exactly now what it was, but it was awfully funny. It was something about music, and we all laughed." "It doesn't seem to me," spoke up Miss Sharp, acidly, "that Boston jokes will help the fair much; and I move you, Mrs. President,--if I don't make a motion, I'm sure I don't know who ever will,--that the fair be held on the 20th of April." "I second the motion," promptly spoke up Miss Snob, who always seconded everything. "It is moved and seconded," said the president, "that the fair be held on the 20th of April; but I'm sure the 23d would suit me a great deal better." "Why not have it the 17th?" asked Miss Keene; "that seems to me quite late enough." "Oh, dear, no," interrupted Mrs. Percy Browne, "I never could get half the things done for my department by that time. I move we have it the 30th." "Second the motion," promptly responded Miss Snob. "It is moved and seconded," propounded Mrs. Smithe from the chair, "that the fair be held on the 30th. That seems to me an excellent time. If it be your minds, you will please to signify it. It is a vote." "I still stick to the 20th," declared Miss Sharp, viciously. "I shall open my candy-table then, whether the rest of the fair is ready or not." "Sweets to the sweet," murmured Miss Keene, looking around with her jest-announcing smile. "The 20th is Sunday, any way," observed the Hon. Mrs. Sampson Hoyt, in tones of great condescension. "I don't care," persisted the contumacious Sharp. "I'll have my part of the fair then, any way." "Suppose we compromise," suggested the president, pacifically, "and say the 25th." There was considerable discussion, more or less acrimonious, at this proposition, but it was finally adopted without the formality of a vote, the secretary being instructed to set the date April 25th down as the final decision of the meeting. "There will have to be a general committee of arrangements," the president observed, this important preliminary having been settled. "I suppose it is customary for the chair to appoint them; but I am ready to receive nominations." "I nominate Miss Keene," said Mrs. Browne, who wished to keep in that lady's good graces. "Second the motion," Miss Snob exclaimed, with enthusiasm. "Miss Keene will have enough to do at the cake-table," Mrs. Smithe replied. "I think I'll appoint Mrs. Hoyt, Mrs. Crowler, Mrs. Henderson, and Mrs. Lowell." "There's never but three on that committee," snapped Miss Sharp. "You'll have to take off one." "Dear me!" responded Mrs. Smithe, in dismay; "I think you must be mistaken."