Queen of May; she sat in state in a little bower or arbor while her
youthful courtiers danced and sang around her. But the custom of having a
May Queen really dates back to the old Roman celebration when they
especially worshipped the goddess Flora. Another feature of May-day was
the May-pole, which was erected in all English towns and villages, and
round which the people danced all day long. But these merry customs were
stopped when the Puritans put an end to all such jollifications. They
were revived somewhat after the restoration, but they are rarely seen
nowadays except among children. But they are all pretty customs, and the
whole subject will well repay reading and study. I won't continue this
lecture now, but before the month of May is over, we will study in school
hours some of its characteristics, and we will read the poem of the May
Queen, by Lord Tennyson."

"I wish you had boys in your school, Miss Hart," said Flip Henderson;
"you do teach the nicest way I ever heard of."

"Indeed she does," agreed Marjorie; "going to school to Miss Hart is like
going to a party every day."

And then came the crowning glory of the May party. This was the feast,
which was served out of doors on a table prettily decorated with vines
and flowers. Dainty sandwiches were tied up with pink ribbons, and little
glass cups held delicious pink lemonade. The cakes were iced with pink,
the ice cream was pink, and there were pink bon-bons of various sorts. At
each plate was a little pink box of candies to take home; and a souvenir
for each guest in the shape of a pink fan for the girls, and pink
balloons for the boys. The big balloons made much fun as they bobbed
about in the air, and when the feast was over, the guests went away
declaring that the Jinks Club had never had a prettier party.