Page:Ned Wilding's Disappearance.djvu/72

62 he had gone to such trouble to make was a thing of shreds and tatters.

"It's just like poor King Lear, being all torn apart by the winds," exclaimed Jennie Smith, though some of her companions could not quite see the simile. "Oh, I would love to recite something," she went on.

"Go ahead," said Mary Tedwell. "I guess no one will hear you," and she laughed rather maliciously.

"Mean old thing!" exclaimed Jennie. "She's mad because she can't recite poetry."

Now Bart was entirely stripped of his Santa Claus suit, and the boys and girls, securing pieces of it, formed a ring about the lad and marched around singing any tune that came into their heads. The teachers had retired, leaving the pupils to finish in their own fashion the celebration attendant upon closing of school for the holidays as they knew there would be little trouble.

But all things must have an end and the merry frolic of the boys and girls was gradually brought to a close. Those who had received the odd presents from Bart were made to exhibit them, and many were the jibes and quips that accompanied the display.

On all sides and from scores of girls and boys