Although many of the children spend the entire day on the lawn, numbers of them remain for a couple of hours only. By this means the grounds are not kept so crowded as they would otherwise be. The hours between three and five o'clock, however, are considered the most enjoyable, as during that time the President always arranges to have the Marine Baud to entertain the children with music, and it is at that time also that the President makes his appearance out on the back portico to greet the children. It is, of course, thoroughly understood that so busy a man as the President cannot spend his whole day with his young visitors. He entertains them by turning over his grounds to them, and they enjoy themselves in their own way without molestation. On the afternoon of the Easter Monday which I spent in Washington President McKinley came out on the portico at about half-past three. He took off his hat and waved it to the children, who all gathered as near as possible about the portico and shouted out-- "Howdy do, Mr. President? Howdy do, howdy do?"--the boys taking off their caps and the little girls waving their handkerchiefs. "How do you do, children? Glad to see you, and hope you are having a good time!" shouted back the President. [Illustration: Lester Ralph. PRESIDENT McKINLEY GREETING HIS YOUNG VISITORS.] "Splendid time, Mr. President, and thank you for your invitation," called back the delighted little guests. "That's right!" returned the President, laughing. "I hope you'll all come again next Easter Monday." "Thank you, Mr. President. Good-bye, good-bye!" shouted the children. Then President McKinley went back to his duties of State and the children returned to their egg-rolling. Mrs. McKinley sat on the portico most of the afternoon watching the merriment. Occasionally a little boy or girl would edge up to the portico, and push a blue or red egg through the railings, saying: "Please, Mrs. President, I've brought you one of my eggs to keep!" Mrs. McKinley accepted the little presents with the sweetest of smiles and a "Thank you." At about two o'clock in the afternoon the White House lawn looked like a large picnic ground. Some of the children had brought napkins to lay upon the grass when they should be ready to eat their luncheon, and on the napkins they spread their boiled eggs and bread-and-butter. One little girl, when I complimented her on her daintiness, explained: "I does it so I won't get eggshells on Mr. President's grass! My mamma told me I must be careful, cos it wouldn't be very nice if the President of the 'Nited States had to go round to-morrow picking up eggshells after me!"