on having thought of such a brilliant
project.

That Mopsey was a thoughtful manager, as well as sparkling author, was
shown by a notice which the boys found fastened to the street-door. It
read:

DOReS opeN AT HARF PARsT seVeN

and had evidently been prepared in anticipation of the rush of patrons
which it was almost certain would fairly besiege the place before they
were ready to receive them.

Once in the theatre, it was seen that Dickey and Mopsey had not been
wasting their time, for there was such a collection of cast-off
uniforms and weapons as would have furnished a much larger company
than theirs with outfits. The two who had gathered this remarkable
collection together were standing over it in conscious pride; but
Mopsey did not give them much opportunity for admiration.

"Now all hands turn to an' git dressed," he said, in a tone of
authority, well knowing that his command would be willingly obeyed.
"We've got to be sure to be ready, an' we can eat dinner after we're
rigged up jest as well as not."

As it was only too evident that Mopsey would be obliged to superintend
the dressing of each boy, the party stood waiting for him to designate
the one who should receive the first attention.

"We'll start on you, Dickey," said Mopsey; and some of the party
thought that while the two had been alone that day, Master Spry had
stipulated that he should have the honor of being arrayed first.

Dickey stepped in front of the busy-looking manager, his face beaming
with delight, and his mouth open so wide that his smile seemed almost
a grin.

Among the collection out of which Shakespeare's characters were to
stalk into view were quite a number of Mrs. Green's kitchen utensils,
and nearly all of the party were puzzled as to what was to be done
with them when Dickey's toilet explained everything. Two tin covers
that had evidently been taken from the wash-boilers were fastened on
Master Spry's chest and back, and Mopsey insisted on lashing them on
so strongly, lest they should become displaced in the fight, that poor
Dickey found it impossible to hang his arms down by his side, but was
obliged to hold them straight out, very much to his discomfort. A tin
saucepan, somewhat the worse for wear, and well blackened, was placed
on his head for a helmet, and in his hands a huge cavalry sabre. To
throw a dash of color into what would otherwise have been a rather
sombre-looking costume, Mopsey laced a quantity of red ta