When once the Brownies' plans were laid, No formal, tiresome speech was made. In mystic ways, to Brownies known, They clambered up the walls of stone. They clung to this and that, like briers, They climbed the smooth electric wires; Some members lending ready aid To those who weaker nerves displayed. And in five minutes at the most, By vine, by bracket, and by post, By every scroll, and carving bold, That toes could touch or fingers hold They made their way, and gained a chance To view, unnoticed, every dance. Said one: "How pleasant is the sight To see those children young and bright While skipping blithely to and fro, Now joined in pairs, now in a row, Or formed in circles, hand in hand, And lightly moving at command-- [Illustration] Like butterflies through balmy air When summer spreads attractions fair, And blends with every whispering breeze The drowsy hum of working bees." [Illustration] [Illustration] Another said: "When this is o'er The Brownie Band will take the floor. We'll bide our time and not be slow To take possession when they go. Then up and down the spacious hall We'll imitate the steps of all. We'll show that not in Frenchmen's bones Lies all the grace that nature owns; That others at the waltz can shine As well as Germans from the Rhine; That we some capers can enjoy As well as natives of Savoy." [Illustration] [Illustration] While thus they talked, the moments flew, And soon the master's task was through. When children's cloaks were wrapped around, And heavier shoes their feet had found They hastened home; but while they slept The Brownies in that building crept To take their turn at lively reel, At graceful glide, or dizzy wheel, Till all the dances people know, From Cuba's palms to Russia's snow Were tried, and soon in every case Were mastered with surprising grace. Imagine how they skipped about, And how they danced, with laugh and shout! [Illustration] [Illustration]