The ladies responded handsomely and hospitably to these overtures of peace , and both institutions flourished long and happily . CHAPTER IX . DAISY 'S BALL `` Mrs. Shakespeare Smith would like to have Mr. John Brooke , Mr. Thomas Bangs , and Mr. Nathaniel Blake to come to her ball at three o'clock today . `` P.S. Nat must bring his fiddle , so we can dance , and all the boys must be good , or they can not have any of the nice things we have cooked . '' This elegant invitation would , I fear , have been declined , but for the hint given in the last line of the postscript . `` They have been cooking lots of goodies , I smelt 'em . Let 's go , '' said Tommy . `` We need n't stay after the feast , you know , '' added Demi . `` I never went to a ball . What do you have to do ? '' asked Nat . `` Oh , we just play be men , and sit round stiff and stupid like grown-up folks , and dance to please the girls . Then we eat up everything , and come away as soon as we can . '' `` I think I could do that , '' said Nat , after considering Tommy 's description for a minute . `` I 'll write and say we 'll come ; '' and Demi despatched the following gentlemanly reply , `` We will all come . Please have lots to eat . J. B. Esquire . '' Great was the anxiety of the ladies about their first ball , because if every thing went well they intended to give a dinner-party to the chosen few . `` Aunt Jo likes to have the boys play with us , if they are not rough ; so we must make them like our balls , then they will do them good , '' said Daisy , with her maternal air , as she set the table and surveyed the store of refreshments with an anxious eye . `` Demi and Nat will be good , but Tommy will do something bad , I know he will , '' replied Nan , shaking her head over the little cake-basket which she was arranging .
`` Then I shall send him right home , '' said XXXXX , with decision .
Blake Brooke Daisy Esquire Jo Nan Tommy dinner-party first minute