Jill was costumer, with help from Miss Delano, who did not care for balls, and kindly took charge of the girls.
Jack printed tickets, programmes, and placards of the most imposing sort, and the work went gayly on till all was ready.
When the evening came, the Bird Room presented a fine appearance.

One end was curtained off with red drapery; and real footlights, with tin shades, gave a truly theatrical air to the little stage.

Rows of chairs, filled with mammas and little people, occupied the rest of the space.
The hall and Frank's room were full of amused papas, uncles, and old gentlemen whose patriotism brought them out in spite of rheumatism.
There was a great rustling of skirts, fluttering of fans, and much lively chat, till a bell rang and the orchestra struck up.
Yes, there really was an orchestra, for Ed declared that the national airs _must_ be played, or the whole thing would be a failure.

So he had exerted himself to collect all the musical talent he could find, a horn, a fiddle, and a flute, with drum and fife for the martial scenes.

Ed looked more beaming than ever, as he waved his baton and led off with Yankee Doodle as a safe beginning, for every one knew that.