I decline with thanks." "Ungrateful fellow!" she retorted.

"I don't mean to be a bit sorry for you if you are defeated." "I do not intend that you shall have the opportunity," he returned with a good humored laugh.
"O Rosie, I know what we can do!" cried Lulu; "give them some music." "Good!" said Sydney, "wait a minute, boys till we hunt up a drum and fife.

The band will play on the veranda." She, Rosie, and Lulu hurried into the house as she spoke.
"Yes, I'll lend you mine," shouted Walter, after them.

"They're up in the play-room;--two drums, two mouth organs and a fife, and a trumpet." The boys waited, employing the time in preparing piles of snowballs, and presently the girls came rushing back bringing the musical instruments mentioned by Walter, and a jews-harp and accordeon beside.
These were quickly distributed and the band struck up--not one tune but several; "Hail Columbia," "Yankee Doodle," and "Star Spangled Banner;"-- having forgotten in their haste to agree upon a tune.
The music, if music it could be called--was greeted with roars of laughter, and ceased at once.
"Oh this will never do!" cried Maud; "we must settle upon some one of the national airs.

Shall it be 'Yankee Doodle' ?" "Yes," they all said, and began again, with less discord but not keeping very good time.
Harold and his party were in the fort, a huge heap of balls beside them.
"Now man your guns, my lads, and be ready to give a vigorous repulse to the approaching foe," he said.
Chester had drawn up his men in line of battle.