The bidding was all in pantomime, and they all looked so much alike that nobody knew whom he was bidding for, or to whom he was knocked down.

The giant was the auctioneer.
At last each bidder was provided with a partner, and two by two they all went gravely up the steps to shake hands with Mrs.Sherman and the girls.

Every one spoke in an assumed voice, and recognition was almost impossible.

The girls talked with every one in turn, but Rob and Keith were the only boys they had recognised when the signal for unmasking was given, and little Bethel Cassidy was the only girl.

They knew her queer little lisp.
Cake and sherbet were brought out, and great was everybody's astonishment when masks were slipped off, and the pillow-cases jerked away from the wearers' rumpled hair.