“I’m sure of it,” said Patty.  “Miss Daggett has lovely things, and so has Mrs. Greenleaf, and Aunt Alice, and lots of people.  We’ll let Florence Douglass and Lillian Desmond look after that.  It’s just in their line.”

“And then you must have side shows, you know; funny performances, like ‘Punch and Judy,’ and a fortune-telling gipsy.  And then all the people who take part in it must wear fancy or grotesque costumes.  And the great feature of the whole show is a parade of these people in their eccentric garb.  Some walk, while others ride on decorated steeds, or in queer vehicles.  Of course, there’s lots of detail and lots of work about it, but if you go into the thing with any sort of enthusiasm, I’m sure you can make a big success of it.”

They did go into the thing with all sorts of enthusiasm, and they did make a big success of it.

The Tea Club girls declared the scheme a fine one, and the Boys’ Annex announced themselves as ready to help in any and every possible way.  Committees were appointed to attend to the different departments, and as these committees were carefully selected with a view to giving each what he or she liked best to do, the whole work went on harmoniously.

The site chosen for the county fair was the old Warner place.  As this was still unoccupied, it made a most appropriate setting for the projected entertainment.  When Mr. Hepworth saw it he declared it was ideal for the purpose, and immediately began to make plans for utilising the different rooms of the old house.

A loan exhibition was to be held in one; and, as Patty had foreseen, many old relics and heirlooms of great interest were borrowed from willing lenders around town.  In another room was the domestic exhibition, and in another the horticultural show was held.

One room was devoted to amusing the children, and contained a Punch and Judy show, fish pond, and various games.

There was a candy kitchen, where white-capped cooks could make candy and sell it to immediate purchasers.

It had been decided to hold the fair during the afternoon and evening of two consecutive days.  As Nan had prophesied, these days showed weather beyond all criticism.  Not too warm to be pleasant, but with bright sunshine and a gentle breeze.

At three o’clock the grand parade began, and the spectators watched with glee the grotesque figures that passed them in line.

Patty, whose special department was the candy kitchen, was dressed as the Queen of Hearts who made the renowned tarts.  Mr. Hepworth had designed her dress, and though it was of simple white cheese-cloth, trimmed with red-and-gold hearts, it was very effective and becoming.  She wore a gilt crown, and carried a gilt sceptre, and rode in her own little pony cart, which had been so gaily decorated for the occasion that it was quite unrecognisable.  Kenneth Harper, as the Knave of Hearts, who wickedly stole the tarts, sat by her side and drove the little chariot.