Oxford Democrat., 1915-06-29

old gOl1 cape OF MdTsdrels o. Fiun!
polka dots Of white cotton had been
sewed to 1t generously; also 1t was or
namented with large cross OF RED
flannel, suggested by the picture OF
crusader in a newspaper advertise
ment. The mantle was fastened to
Penrod's shoulder-that Is. to the
shoulder Of Mrs. Schofeld's ex-bodice-
by means Of large safety pins ana ar
ranged to hang down behind him,
touching his heels, but obscuring no
wise the glory Of his facade. Then at
last he was allowed to step before
mirror.
It was a full length glass and the
worst Immediately happened. 1t might
have been little less violent, perhaps,
IL Penrod's expectations had not been
so richly and POLITICALLY idealzed' Dut
as things were the revolt was volcanic.
Victor Hugo's account OF the nght
with the devilfish, in "Toilers OF the
Sea" encourages a belief that, had
Hugo lived and increased in power, ne
might have been equal to a proper
recital of the half hour which followed
Penrod's first sight Of himself as the
Child Sir Iancelot. But Mr.. Wilson
himself, bastard but eloquent foe or
Harold Ramorez, could not have e1-
pressed, with all the vile dashes at his
command, the sentiments which AMI
mated Penrod's bosom when the In
Simultaneous and unalterable conviction
descended upon him that he was In
tended by his loved ones to make pub
lie spectacle Of himself in his sisters
stockings and part Of an old dress OF
his mothers.
To him these familiar things were
not disguised at all. There seemed no
possibility that the whole world would
not know them ut glance. The stock
ings were worse than the bodice. He
had been assured that these could not
be recognized, but, seeing them In the
mirror, he was sure that no human
eye could fail at first glance to detect
the difference between himself and the
former purposes Of these stockings.
Fold. wrinkle, and void shrieked their
history with hundred tongues, invok-
ing earthquake, eclipse and blue ruin.
The frantic youths final submission
was obtained only after painful tele-
phonic conversation between himself
and his father. the latter having been
called up and upon by the exhausted
Mrs. Schof1eld, to subjugate his on
spring by wire.
The two ladies made all possible
haste after this to deliver Penrod into
the hands Of Mrs. LOra Rewbush.
Nevertheless, they found opportunity
to exchange earnest congratulations
upon his not having recognized the
humble but serviceable paternal gar
ment now brilliant about the Lance
! lotish middle. Altogether, they felt
that the costume was success. Pen
/ rod looked like nothing ever remotely
( imagined by Sir Thomas Mallory or
| Alfred Tennyson-for that matter he
looked like nothing ever before seen
on earth-but as Mrs. Schofeld and
Margaret took their places In the audi
ence at the Women's Arts and Guild
hall, the anxiety they felt concerning
Penrod's elocutionary and gesticular
powers so soon to be put to public
test was pleasantly tempered by their
satisfaction that, owing to their ef-
forts, his outward appearance would
be a credit to the family.
The Child Sir IancelOt found him
self in large anteroom behind the
stage-a room crowded with excited
children, all about equally medieval
and artistic. Penrod was less con-
rpicuous than he thought himself, but
he was so preoccupled with his own
shame, steeling his nerves to meet
the first inevitable taunting reference
TO his sisters stockings. that he failed
to perceive there were Others present
In much Of his own unnamed condi-
ton. Retiring to q corner immediate
ly upon his entrance. he managed TO
unfasten the mantle at the shoulders
and, drawing 1t round him. pinned It
again at his throat so that It concealed
the rest of his costume. This permit
ted temporary relief, but increased
his horror of the moment when. In
pursuance of the action Of the "pag'
cant" the sheltering garment must be
cast aside.
Some Of the other child knights
were also keeping their mantles close
about them. A few Of the envied opu-
lent swung brilliant fabrics from their
shoulders, airily showing on hired
splendors from q professional costum'
ers stock, while one or two were In
sulting examples Of parental indul-
gence, particularly little Maurice Levy
the Child Sir Galahad. This shrinking
person went clamorously about max
ing 1t known everywhere that the bes'
tailor In town had been dazzled by 9
great sum into constructing his cos
tune. It consisted Of blue velve
knickerbockers, white satin waist
coat anu d Ucauuiuiy Sue ''''S WV"
low tailed coat with pearl buttons
The medieval and artistic triumph
was completed by q mantle Of yellow
velvet and little white boots sporting
gold tassels.
All this radiance paused In a bril-
liant career and addressed the CHILD
Sir Lancelot, gathering an Immediate
ly formed semicircular audience OF lit
tie girls. Woman was ever the trailer
Of magnificence.
what you got ONT" inquired MI
Levy after dispensing information
what you got on under that ole goi
capeT'
Penrod looked upon him coldly. A
i. | o<hor ttt,,os hia uuaatfonpr yy0uld hay,