"It's a good thing Rachel put a stopper on commandeering," commented
Delia. "Mabel was simply shameless at the Carnival. Had anybody told?"
"Sybil and Erica knew; and Rachel isn't really as blind as we thought.
At any rate, she's awake now, and a far nicer prefect than she used to
be. By the by, we're to draw lots as to who may borrow out of the
theatrical property box."
"Oh, goody. I hope I'll win. There's a little gray dress there I've set
my heart on. I'll cry oceans if I don't get it," declared Peachy.
"Cheer up, poor old sport! If the luck comes my way I'll try and grab it
for you. I don't need anything for myself, thank goodness."
"You white angel! That's what I call being a real mascot. I'll share my
last dollar with you some day--honest Injun!"
The contents of Miss Morley's theatrical property box, apportioned
strictly by lot, did not go far among fifty-six girls. Miss Rodgers
allowed two of the prefects, with a teacher, to make an expedition into
Fossato and rummage the shops for some yards of cheap, gay materials,
imitation lace, and bright ribbons, which they were commissioned to buy
on behalf of certain of their schoolfellows, but most of the dancers had
to contrive their costumes out of just anything that came to hand, often
exercising an ingenuity that was little short of marvelous. Acting upon
Rachel's suggestion many of them personified various continents or
countries. The Stars and Stripes of the American flag were conspicuous,
and there were several Red Indians, with painted faces and feathers in
their hair.
Sheila, Mary, Esther, and Lorna repeated the costumes they had worn at
the tableau, and went as representatives of Canada, South Africa, India,
and New Zealand, but Peachy lent her cowboy costume to Rosamonde, and
turned up as Longfellow's "Evangeline," in gray Puritan robe and neat
white cap, a part which, though very becoming, did not accord with her
mischievous, twinkling eyes.
"Not much 'Mayflower Maiden' about you!" giggled Delia.
"Why not?" asked Peachy calmly. "I guess poor Evangeline wasn't always
on the weep! No doubt she had her lively moments sometimes. I'm showing
her at her brightest and best. You ought to give thanks for a new
interpretation of her!"
Winnie Duke scored tremendously by robing in skin rugs as a Canadian
bear, while Joan was able to carry out a long-wished-for project and
turn herself into a very good imitation of a kangaroo.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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