[Illustration: "HAIL, FLORA, QUEEN OF SUMMER!"] _Granny_. Hail, Flora, Queen of Summer! Hail, Flora, Queen off Summer! all Nature speaks your praises; She spells them in her violets, and twines them with her daisies. For you the lances lift of countless gallant grasses! To you all fragrant odors drift, where'er your footstep passes. Come make your subjects glad, these loyal hearts that love you! Nor let a single-thought be sad, while bright the skies above you. _Granny_. And now, my birds, have you not an offering for your Queen? [_The birds march gayly around the room: as they pass_ Flora, _each set pauses_.] _Blue Birds_: This time instead of laurel we bring you violets. _Yellow Birds_: And we have gathered roses, the flower for coronets. _Red Birds_: And we the little lily bells no loving heart forgets. _Granny_. You see, dear Flora, how we all love you. _Flora_. Thanks. For the violets and the roses, The laurel bright and rare, And for the valley-lilies sweet, And the flowers all so fair, As well as for your loving words, I thank you, Granny; thank you, Birds. And now, as I am Queen, I may invite you all to a little feast. The Birds will serve it. Strawberries and cream, cake and bonbons. As mistress of the fête, I am happy to serve the lovely Ninepin Club. Birds, help the girls. _Blanche_. Girls, do eat these lovely things if you can. As for me, they would choke me. _Felicia_. I cannot eat them. _Granny_. You must not refuse, girls. Flora would be hurt. _Blanche_. Well, then. But, first, as President of the Club, let me speak. I confess our fault. We have been harsh, cold, and cruel. We have treated our classmate shamefully. But believe me, Granny, we did not suppose we were inflicting pain. We were inexcusably thoughtless. For one, I ask Alice-- _Granny_. Flora, your Queen. _Blanche_. I ask Flora's forgiveness. And I want some one in the Club to make a motion that Alice--Flora--be asked to join the Club. _Annette_. I make that motion, and I want to say that I agree with our President in thinking we have acted shamefully. Forgive me, if you can, Alice--Flora. I mean. _Agnes_. I second the motion, and I want to say that I never was so ashamed of anything in my life. _Blanche_. All in favor of this motion say aye. _All_. Aye! _Blanche_. Now let us go and ask the Queen if she will join us and forgive us. _Flora_ (_whose voice trembles a little_): I have nothing to pardon, 'twas all a mistake. And the sweetest amends you are willing to make; Hereafter, dear girls, we'll be comrades and friends, Till, unclouded, our life at this pleasant school ends. _Granny_. Kiss the Queen, dearies, and then eat your cake and cream. It is Flora's box. You see now the result of the dream. Instead of sending a box, the uncle, who is really at heart very kind, sent a liberal sum of money, and Flora directed this feast to be purchased.