romance dance delightfully; they swim and dive, and rescue children, and they ride vicious horses.
Nellie. Well, we can't ride here; but dancing is different, and that we will do to our heart's content, only first help me to clear the room.
Flora. First we must move the wash basket; my, but it's heavy—take hold of it (she carries the basket with Nellie out of the middle door).
Katie. And let's get rid of the horrid books. (Picks up the grammar.) Oh! how I hate this grammar! Nothing but rules and forms! (Throws books and small articles hastily to one side.)
Nellie (who has meantime entered with Flora). There goes my sewing in the apple basket; it can take a rest there; let us carry it out. Push the tables and chairs against the wall; then we shall have plenty of room (goes out with the basket of apples).
Flora (with Katie, carries the sewing table in the corner). There—there is plenty of room if I could only dance! (She proceeds to place the chairs as close as possible to the wall).
Nellie (re-entering). I will soon show you how. If we could only fetch the piano from the parlor; but, as that is impossible, we must be content with an organ. I hope Mamie found one for us; and you can play it; I will dress you up as an organ grinder.
Flora. No, thank you
Nellie. Well, as a female organ grinder; but you must play for us; we can't invite the organ grinder himself to come in, because no men are allowed in here, not even an old organ grinder with wooden legs; so you must consent to be dressed up (she takes a hat from the hat rack, and puts it on Flora's head). There—that's the first emblem of your new dignity.
Katie (brings in a large plaid shawl). And this shawl shall be your dress; you can wrap it around you (helps her to fix it).
Nellie (puts a large colored handkerchief round her shoulders). Now you are all fixed up! the orchestra is in full dress!
Katie. You look fine; a regular scarecrow.
Flora. Aren't you both going to dress up too?
Katie. Certainly; I shall be the lovely bride of a gallant knight; as I have read about them a hundred times, with flowing locks
