They came in overwhelming numbers--hand in hand with their fathers, mothers and teachers and with looks of eager interest on their young faces. They enjoyed themselves and each other's society as they never had before on their nation's birthday. In fact the whole community seemed to have been taken suddenly off its feet ("out of the pit and miry clay" as the minister expressed it) and whirled up to a higher plane. He preached the best sermon of his life, if it could be called a sermon. It was short and to the point--well adapted to the higher plane on which he was standing with all the rest. Among the good things that he said was that "our National Day should be a day of tender memories, regrets and righteous resolves--tender memories of those who had died that we might have a free country in which to live. Regrets that such death and bloody sacrifice should have been essential or seemed so--deep regrets that we did not have a court of arbitration in the pre-revolutionary times, such as we now have; and resolves to appeal to it and abide by its wise decisions for all future time. As to this community which has been so providentially turned God-ward, or lifted to a higher plane let it be further resolved that we will maintain that high position with our whole might and main--that we will go ahead in this good fight until all these devil-caught celebrations, life-destroying games and brutal amusements are done away with--or the devil in them cast out." Ralph seconded the minister's resolution and it was carried amidst manifestations of great joy. It was afterward averred that the church people really kissed each other according to the biblical instruction and it is true that many mothers kissed their boys and that Ralph kissed Ruth fervently, whereupon those who did not know of their marriage became suddenly aware of it and there was a general rush to kiss the bride and congratulate the bridegroom. [Illustration: A FEAST IS BETTER THAN FIRECRACKERS.] "And so they have got their wedding reception after all, Angeline," laughed Mr. Cornwallis, "and without any fussery or finery of the tiresome cut and dried pattern." Then the brass band played a wedding march. Lawyer Rattlinger and President Hartling dropped in and made excellent, "higher plane" speeches--that is, speeches delightfully devoid of brutish war-sentiment and silly spread-eagleism--after which the Sunday-school children sang, "God Bless Our Native Land," with great vigor and were rewarded with a delicious finish of ice-cream and lemonade. They went home as happy as larks, although their pockets were stuffed with nuts and candies instead of baneful firecrackers and deadly toy-pistols--a lively protest for their elders who have been too ready to say that a boy will not be satisfied with anything that does not possess the elements of noise and danger.