, who were accustomed to give their small exhibition
to visitors, brought their own orchestra with them, a thin youth who
played the violin, a stout individual who plucked the mandolin, and an
enthusiast who twanged the guitar. The performers were charmingly
dressed in the old native costumes of the country, the men in soft white
shirts, green sleeveless velvet coats, red plush knickers, silk
stockings and shoes with scarlet bows, while the girls wore gay skirts,
striped sashes, lace fichus, and aprons, and gold beads round their
shapely throats. They danced several sprightly measures, waving
tambourines and rattling castanets, or twining silk scarves together,
while the musicians fiddled and strummed their hardest; then six of them
stood aside and the two principal artists advanced to do a "star turn."
"Romeo" sang an impassioned love song, with his hand on his heart, while
"Juliette" plucked at her apron and appeared doubtful of the truth of
his protestations. Then the "funny man" had his innings. He sat in a
chair with a shoe in his hand and tried to smack the head of a humorist
who knelt in front but always managed neatly to avoid his blows, the
whole being punctuated by vigorous exclamations in Italian, and much
energetic music from the orchestra.

A pretty girl sauntered next on to the scene, and sang--in a rather
peacock voice--a little ditty lamenting the weather, at which a
velvet-coated cavalier came to the rescue, and chanting his offer of
help sheltered her with a huge green umbrella, under which they
proceeded to make love, and finally executed a dance beneath its
friendly shade. The whole of the little performance was very graceful
and attractive, savoring so thoroughly of Southern Italy and showing the
courteous manners and winning smiles to the utmost advantage. The
dancers themselves seemed to have enjoyed it, and stood with beaming
faces as they bowed their adieux and thanked the audience for their kind
attention.

"Aren't they just too perfect," commented Peachy.

"_I_ want to wear a velvet bodice and a green skirt with a yellow
border. I want to dance the tarantella with a tambourine in my hand."

"Won't a two-step content you?" said Angus. "Mater says since the
room is cleared we may just as well finish with a little hop ourselves.
May I have the pleasure? Thanks so much. Mrs. Beverley's going to play
for us. It's a beast of a piano but it's good enough to dance to. We
mustn't notice if the bass