Come and have a quiet stroll with me and cool off before supper.

I've a series of pretty tableaux to show you while Meg listens to the raptures of lisping Miss Carr, whom I made happy by giving her Demi for a partner.' As he spoke, Laurie led Jo to the music-room, nearly empty now after a dance which sent the young people into garden and hall.

Pausing before the first of the four long windows that opened on a very wide piazza, he pointed to a group outside, saying: 'The name of this is "Jack Ashore".' A pair of long, blue legs, ending in very neat pumps, hung from the veranda roof among the vines; and roses, gathered by unseen hands, evidently appertaining to aforesaid legs, were being dropped into the laps of several girls perched like a flock of white birds on the railing below; while a manly voice 'fell like a falling star', as it sung this pensive ditty to a most appreciative audience: MARY'S DREAM The moon had climbed the eastern hill Which rises o'er the sands of Dee, And from its highest summit shed A silver light on tower and tree, When Mary laid her down to sleep (Her thoughts on Sandy far at sea); When soft and low a voice was heard, Saying, 'Mary, weep no more for me.' She from her pillow gently raised Her head, to see who there might be, And saw young Sandy, shivering stand With visage pale and hollow e'e.
'Oh Mary dear, cold is my clay; It lies beneath the stormy sea; Far, far from thee, I sleep in death.
Dear Mary, weep no more for me.
'Three stormy nights and stormy days We tossed upon the raging main.
And long we strove our bark to save; But all our striving was in vain.
E'en then, when terror chilled my blood, My heart was filled with love of thee.
The storm is past, and I'm at rest; So, Mary, weep no more for me.
'Oh maiden dear, yourself prepare; We soon shall meet upon that shore Where love is free from doubt and care, And you and I shall part no more.' Loud crew the cock, the shadow fled; No more her Sandy did she see; But soft the passing spirit said, 'Sweet Mary, weep no more for me.' 'The constant jollity of that boy is worth a fortune to him.

He'll never sink with such a buoyant spirit to keep him afloat through life,' said Mrs Jo, as the roses were tossed back with much applause when the song ended.
'Not he; and it's a blessing to be grateful for, isn't it?
We moody people know its worth.

Glad you like my first tableau.