"Massachusetts, if you tease me any more, _I'll_ sit back, and let you do it all yourself. Well, then--let me see! Tennessee--to tell the truth, I didn't sleep very well last night; my head ached; and I amused myself by planning a few costumes, just in case you should fancy the idea." "Quack! quack!" said Massachusetts. "I didn't mean to interrupt, but you _are_ a duck, and I must just show that I can speak your language. Go on!" "Tennessee, I thought you might be an Indian. You must have something that will show your hair. With my striped shawl for a blanket, and the cock's feather out of Jersey's hat--what do you think?" "Perfect!" said Tennessee. "And I can try effects with my new paint-box, one cheek stripes, the other spots. Hurrah! next!" "Old New York, you must be a flower of some kind. Or--why not a basket of flowers? You could have a basket-work bodice, don't you see? and flowers coming out of it all round your neck--your neck is so pretty, you ought to show it--" "Or carrots and turnips!" said the irrepressible Massachusetts. "Call her a Harvest Hamper, and braid her lovely locks with strings of onions!" "Thank you," laughed Old New York, a slender girl whose flower-like beauty made her a pleasure to look at. "I think I'll keep to the posy, Massachusetts. Go on, Maine! what shall Massachusetts be, and what will you be yourself?" "Massachusetts ought by rights to be an apple, a nice fat rosy apple; but I don't quite know how that can be managed." "Then I shall be a codfish!" said Massachusetts, decidedly. "I am not going to desert Mr. Micawber--I mean the Bay State. I shall go as a salt codfish. _Dixi_! Pass on to the Pine-Tree!" "Why, so I might be a pine-tree! I didn't think of that. But still, I don't think I will; I meant to be October. The leaves at home are so glorious in October, and I saw some scarlet leaves yesterday that will be lovely for chaplets and garlands." "What are they? the maples don't turn red here--too near the sea, I suppose." "I don't know what they are. Pointed leaves, rather long and delicate, and the most splendid color you ever saw. There is just this one little tree, near the crossroad by the old stone house. I haven't seen anything like it about here. I found it yesterday, and just stood and looked at it, it was so beautiful. Yes, I shall be October; I'll decide on that. What's that rustling in the wood? aren't we all here? I thought I heard something moving among the trees. I do believe some one is in there, Massachusetts." "I was pulling down a branch; don't be imaginative, my dear. Well, go on! are we to make out all the characters?" "Why--I thought not. Some of the girls will like better to choose their own, don't you think? I thought we, as the Committee, might make out a list of suggestions, though, and then they can do as they please. But now, I wish some of you others would suggest something; I don't want to do it all."