nto strips for this
purpose; but as it was not decided yet whether the play would be
enacted on the tailings or in the schoolhouse, the young printers had
got no farther than to print these words very neatly at the bottom of
the tickets:

"ADMIT THE BEARER."

XII

"THE LITTLE SCHOOLMA'AM'S EARTHQUAKE"

There were only ten days in which to prepare for the play called
"Granny's Quilting." The children met Wednesday morning in Aunt Vi's
room, all but Bab, who was off riding. So unfortunate, Lucy thought; for
how could any plans be made without Bab?

The play was very old-fashioned, requiring four people, all clad in the
style of one hundred and fifty years ago. Uncle James would wear a gray
wig and "small clothes" and personate "Grandsir Whalen"; Kyzie Dunlee,
Grandsir's old wife, in white cap, "short gown," and petticoat, was to
be "Granny Whalen" of course.

A grandson and granddaughter were needed for this aged couple. Edith
would make a lovely granddaughter and pretend to spin flax. Who would
play the grandson and shell the corn? Jimmy thought Nate Pollard was
just the one, he was "so good at speaking pieces." They decided to ask
Nate at once, and have that matter settled.

Aunt Vi showed a collection of articles which "the knitting-woman" had
kindly offered for their use; a three-legged light stand, two
fiddle-backed chairs, and a very old hour-glass.

"I should call it a pair of glasses," said Edith, as they watched the
sand drip slowly from one glass into the other.

Aunt Vi said it took exactly an hour for it to drain out, and our
forefathers used to tell the time of day by hour-glasses before clocks
were invented.

"What _are_ forefathers?" Lucy asked Edith.

"Oh, Adam and Eve and all those old people," was the careless reply.

"And didn't they have any clocks?"

"Of course not. What do you suppose?"

There was a knock at the door. Nate had come to find Jimmy and go with
him to see the blind canary.

"We were just talking about you," said Aunt Vi. "Are you willing to be
Katharine's grandson in the play?"

Nate replied laughing that he would do whatever was wanted of him, and
he could send home and get some knee-buckles and a cocked hat.

Aunt Vi said "Capital!" and gave Jimmy a look which said, "Everything
seems to be going on famously for our new play."

Jimmy led the way to Mrs. McQuilken's room, his face wreathed with
smiles.

"Ah, good morning; how do you all do?" said the lad