"I wonder if those idiots down below will disdain to watch our performance," asked Bombs, as he was about to begin. "Undoubtedly not--that is after they've spanked the children and sent them to bed," laughed Schwarmer. "That's the extent of the moral wave with that sort of people. It generally stops with the youngsters. After they are disposed of they'll sit on their door stones until the last flare, most assuredly they will. Shall we send a searchlight after them?" "No! no! Schwarmer. We can't afford to waste time and timber, hunting up such light-quenchers. We can't begin any lower down than '_mosaics_' if we do full justice to '_Tourbillions_'--that is get in all the inventions and improvements which I have made the last year." "Go on, then, Alfonso. Let's have the improvements life-size and inventions too, all of them, though the heavens should fall and the nearest stars have to be knocked out, so to speak?" "O papa! papa!" exclaimed Adelaide in a tone of reproach, "true stars are so much prettier than manufactured ones can possibly be, and they don't tire anybody to death." Bombs winced but he went about his mosaics and was soon receiving flattering comments and profuse compliments from the guests. "Allow me to congratulate you, Mr. Bombs," said Miss Drawling. "Your mosaics are truly splendid, especially the designs of your own invention. They are quite beyond the artist's dream. I saw a great many pieces of mocaic work when I visited the galleries of Greece and Rome. They were supposed to be very wonderful but commend yours to me." "Thanks and thanks for such kindly appreciation," replied Bombs, bending low and glancing aside at Adelaide. She had not retired, and was looking as though she were trying to be amused. "I never cared much for mosaics," remarked Mrs. Shannon--"the real ones. They are so small and look so trifling and dull; but yours are bright and sizable and so charmingly changeable, Mr. Bombs." Even while the shower of compliments was in process the many colored pieces gave a sudden toss up as though in disdain and came down in the form of letters--at least the letters were there dancing along on the dusky background and arranging themselves into words; and the words were "Welcome to Schwarmer Hill!" It was pronounced "a charming welcome." "Written in all the colors of the rainbow and without the tiresome pen and ink," remarked Miss Drawling. It was a surprise even to the Schwarmers. They were highly delighted--at least Mr. and Mrs. Schwarmer. Miss Adelaide was inhaling the fragrance of a rose which she had brought in from the dewy garden. She said nothing; but the guests were enthusiastic in their praises--especially of the dexterity which had been displayed.