hite chiton, with
bare legs and feet, he looked very charming, and quite completed the
scene. His round wondering eyes and evident astonishment were indeed
exactly what was required from him to sustain the part.

The wood nymphs, with some slight additions of costume, acted the crowd
through which Gorgo and Praxinoe had to push their way and pilot their
slaves. They pushed and hustled with such vigor as amply to justify the
episode where Praxinoe's muslin veil was torn in two, and the whole
party would have been separated, and Eunoe altogether lost, but for the
help of an Alexandrian gentleman.

Carmel brought out her speech of thanks with much unction.

"_Praxinoe._ Both this year and for ever may all be well with you, my
dear sir, for your care of us. A good kind man! We're letting Eunoe
get squeezed--come, wretched girl, push your way through."

And Nesta, as the courteous stranger, responded with a bow which, if not
absolutely historically correct for the period, was certainly a
combination of the good manners of all the ages.

As it was difficult to find enough items for an entirely classical
program, the second half of the entertainment was to be miscellaneous,
and during the short interval a delegate from the "Waifs and Strays
Society" was to give a short address explaining the work of the Homes.

Now Carmel was down in Part II to dance the Pastorale, and she ran into
the house to change her Greek chiton for the dress of a Sicilian
peasant. She went through the veranda and the open French window, and
straight upstairs to her bedroom. She had brought nobody with her,
because, for one thing, she needed no help, and for another she was hot
and excited, and felt that she would like a few minutes' rest quite to
herself. There was no great hurry, so she leisurely put on the pretty
scarlet and white-striped skirt, the velvet apron, the white bodice and
laced corsage, clasped the necklace round her throat, and twisted the
gay silk handkerchief as a head-dress on her dark hair. It was a
prettier and more effective costume even than the Greek one. There was
an Eastern variety of color in it that suited her better than the
simplicity of the chiton. She had completed it, from the gold bangles on
her wrists to the scarlet stockings and neat shoes, and was just turning
to run downstairs again, when she suddenly stopped and listened.

Carmel's little bedroom was really a dressing-room, and possessed two
doo