cake, in the centre of
which arose what resembled the spire of a church, made of sugar and
adorned with small American flags and streamers made of various colored
silk ribbons. Flanking the centrepiece at each corner were large dishes
containing mounds of jelly cake, pound cake, sponge cake, and angel
cake. On either side of the centrepiece, shaped in fancy moulds, were
two large dishes of ice cream, a third full of sherbet, and the fourth
one filled with frozen pudding. In the vacant spaces about the larger
dishes were smaller plates containing the home-made pies and cake, and
the apples, oranges, dates, figs, raisins, nuts, and candy taken from
the pound packages brought by the members of the surprise party. Piled
upon the table in heaps were the fifty boxes containing the souvenir
gifts that Quincy had ordered.

As they took their places about the table, Quincy felt it incumbent upon
him to say something. Turning to the Professor he addressed him:

"Professor Strout, I think it is my duty to inform you that I have made
this little addition to the bountiful supper supplied by you and the
members of this party, on behalf of my friends, Mr. and Miss Pettengill,
and myself. I trust that you will take as much pleasure in disposing of
it as I have in sending it. In the language of the poet I would now say,
'Fall to and may good digestion wait on appetite!'"

Quincy's speech was received with applause. The hot coffee had arrived
and was soon circulating in cups, mugs, and tumblers. Everybody was
talking to everybody else at the same time, and all petty fueds,
prejudices, and animosities were, apparently, forgotten.

The young fellows took the cue from Quincy, who, as soon as he had
finished his little speech, began filling the plates with the good
things provided, and passing them to the ladies, and in a short time all
had been waited upon. When both hunger and appetite had been satisfied,
Quincy again addressed the company.

"In those small paper boxes," said he, "you will find some little
souvenirs, which you can keep to remind you of this very pleasant
evening, or you can eat them and remember how sweet they were." A
general laugh followed this remark. "In making your selection,"
continued Quincy, "bear in mind that the boxes tied up with red ribbon
are for the ladies, while those having blue ribbons are for the
gentlemen."

A rush was made for the table, and almost instantly each member of the
company became poss