ntic specimen of the
feline race that the effect was quite appalling. The younger children
squealed when she appeared on the field, especially as, to keep up her
character, she made an occasional claw at one of them as she passed, or
gave vent to a tremendous "Miau!" or "Fuff!" She had decorated her
bicycle with chocolate mice, and halted now and then to eat one with
great apparent gusto, hugely to the delight of the juvenile portion of
the audience, who clapped her again and again. But the real triumph of
her costume was her tail, a splendid appendage fully a yard in length.
By a most ingenious contrivance of a strong wire spring, worked with a
piece of elastic, she was able to curl and uncurl it, or to lash it to
and fro in the most diverting fashion. Altogether Puss was a huge
attraction, she acted her part capitally, and when on reaching the
judge's stand she purred loudly, and pretended to wash her face with her
tawny paw, the general cheering easily secured for her the first prize.

The second prize was won by a classmate of Basil's from the Boys'
Preparatory Department, who came attired as a golliwog, with blackened
face, fuzzy hair, and a selection of Dutch jointed dolls slung from
his bicycle. His laurels were closely contested by a dainty Miss
Butterfly and a picturesque Cavalier, but on the whole the funny
costumes seemed to find greater favour with the majority.

Everybody voted the cycle parade an entire success, and the audience
looked quite regretful as the long line of troubadours, Dolly Vardens,
brigands, fairies snow queens, Italian peasants, Kate Greenaway
rustics, and other interesting characters took their departure through
the gate. But there were further items on the programme, and all eyes
turned eagerly to the band of quaintly dressed little maidens who now
ran out joyously hand in hand to perform the ancient ceremony of
plaiting the Maypole. The children had been well drilled, and had
practised assiduously, so each took her ribbon with confidence, and
started off at the sound of the music, to tread the intricate steps
required for the due twisting and combination of the colours. The
affair went without a hitch, the maypole was plaited and unplaited,
and the effect was so pretty that the audience encored the
performance. Feeling that they had covered themselves with glory, the
May-maidens retired to make room for the morris dancers, who were
waiting anxiously to have their turn. The oldfashione