that was eatable of their provisions was consumed; and now the
children all looked around with that peculiar, beseeching, half-
discontented look, which is their wont to have on such occasions, as
much as to say, "What shall we do next?" Grown people who have been
much with children, know full well that there is no peace when such
symptoms appear, under such circumstances, unless, before the king
of misrule begins his reign, something is proposed of a composing
tendency for turbulent spirits. Accordingly, Mrs. Chilton asked the
children if they had ever heard of the Mayday ball which is given
every year to the children in Washington. "No," was the answer. She
said she had been at one, and she would tell all about it.

"It is held in a large public hall, decorated for the purpose. All
the children in Washington and Georgetown are invited to attend; all
have an equal right to go, ignorant and educated, poor and rich; no
matter how poor, if the girls can get a neat white frock, and the
boys a decent dress, they are all admitted; every one wears a wreath
of flowers, or has a bouquet in his hand or bosom. The children
assemble very early, and dance as much as they please, to the music
of a fine band, and all partake of some simple refreshment, provided
for them, before they return home. They number often over a
thousand, and as they are all moving together to the music, they
look like a dancing flower garden. I said all the children, rich and
poor, in Washington. I wish it were so; but there are many poor
children who are never invited to this festival. No one dresses one
of them in a nice white frock on May morning, and puts a wreath of
flowers on her head, and a nosegay in her hands, and says to her,
'Go, dance, sing, and rejoice with the other children in God's
beautiful world.'"