When every one was out of breath they were allowed to rest ; and , indeed , poor Mrs. Smith needed it , for her long dress had tripped her up many times . The little maid passed round molasses and water in such small cups that one guest actually emptied nine . I refrain from mentioning his name , because this mild beverage affected him so much that he put cup and all into his mouth at the ninth round , and choked himself publicly . `` You must ask Nan to play and sing now , '' said Daisy to her brother , who sat looking very much like an owl , as he gravely regarded the festive scene between his high collars . `` Give us a song , mum , '' said the obedient guest , secretly wondering where the piano was . Miss Smith sailed up to an old secretary which stood in the room , threw back the lid of the writing-desk , and sitting down before it , accompanied herself with a vigor which made the old desk rattle as she sang that new and lovely song , beginning `` Gaily the troubadour Touched his guitar , As he was hastening Home from the war . '' The gentlemen applauded so enthusiastically that she gave them `` Bounding Billows , '' `` Little Bo-Peep , '' and other gems of song , till they were obliged to hint that they had had enough . Grateful for the praises bestowed upon her daughter , Mrs. Smith graciously announced , `` Now we will have tea . Sit down carefully , and do n't grab . '' It was beautiful to see the air of pride with which the good lady did the honors of her table , and the calmness with which she bore the little mishaps that occurred . The best pie flew wildly on the floor when she tried to cut it with a very dull knife ; the bread and butter vanished with a rapidity calculated to dismay a housekeeper 's soul ; and , worst of all , the custards were so soft that they had to be drunk up , instead of being eaten elegantly with the new tin spoons . I grieve to state that Miss Smith squabbled with the maid for the best jumble , which caused Bess to toss the whole dish into the air , and burst out crying amid a rain of falling cakes . She was comforted by a seat at the table , and the sugar-bowl to empty ; but during this flurry a large plate of patties was mysteriously lost , and could not be found . They were the chief ornament of the feast , and Mrs. Smith was indignant at the loss , for she had made them herself , and they were beautiful to behold . I put it to any lady if it was not hard to have one dozen delicious patties -LRB- made of flour , salt , and water , with a large raisin in the middle of each , and much sugar over the whole -RRB- swept away at one fell swoop ? `` You hid them , Tommy ; I know you did ! '' cried the outraged hostess , threatening her suspected guest with the milk-pot . `` I did n't ! '' `` You did ! '' `` It is n't proper to contradict , '' said Nan , who was hastily eating up the jelly during the fray .
`` Give them back , Demi , '' said XXXXX .
Bo-Peep Smith Tommy milk-pot mishaps spoons sugar-bowl troubadour war writing-desk