"Why, no!" cried Max, as with sudden recollection. Then hurrying to his
father, who was talking on the other side of the room to Dr. Conly, and
Mr. Horace Dinsmore of the Oaks, he stood waiting respectfully for an
opportunity to speak.

The gentlemen paused in their conversations and the captain asked, "What
is it, my son?"

"We haven't shown the workroom or the playroom, papa."

"Ah, sure enough! We must have them lighted first. Send Scipio out to
put a lamp in each. Then the ladies' wraps will have to be brought down,
for they would be in danger of taking cold going even that short
distance without."

"I'll attend to it all, sir," Max rejoined with cheerful alacrity, and
hastened away to do so.

In a few minutes all was in readiness.

Max, announcing the fact to his father, and the company in general, said
dubiously, "I'm afraid we can't go all at once: the rooms aren't big
enough to take in so many."

"So we will go in divisions," said Mr. Dinsmore. "There are thirty of
us--not counting the Woodburn family proper: we will make five
divisions, six in each, in addition to the guide and exhibiter. Does
everybody consent?"

"Yes, yes," was heard on every side.