“I hope it won’t snow so hard that nobody will come to the show,” said Sue, when, after breakfast, she stood with her nose pressed in a funny, flat way against the window.  It was snowing, but not too hard.

“O, I guess every one will come,” said Mrs. Brown.  “They have all bought tickets, anyhow, so you’ll make some money for the Home for the Blind.”

“And I hope Uncle Bill doesn’t forget to come,” put in Lucile.

“I had word from him a little while ago,” said Mr. Brown.  “I’m going for him in my auto.  And now we must have an early dinner and get ready for the play.”

I think Bunny and Sue were so excited that they did not eat as much roast turkey and cranberry sauce at that Christmas dinner as at others.  But they had enough, anyhow, and in due time they were at the hall, where they met all the other children.  Bunny had brought back the bantam rooster, thinking that perhaps, after all, Peter might have some part in the play.  Will Laydon had his trained white mice with him, Splash was on hand, ready to cling to the piece of cloth on Mr. Treadwell’s coat, and some other animal pets were ready to do their share in the play.

There was a final looking over of every one, mothers and sisters saw to it that the dresses and suits of the girls and boys were all right, and Mr. Treadwell was here, there, and everywhere, back of the scenes and curtain.

“Oh, there’s a terrible big crowd!” exclaimed Bunny, as he looked out at the audience through a peep-hole in the curtain.

“Then we’ll make a lot of money for the Blind Home,” said Sue.

“I see Uncle Bill!” cried Mart, as he, too, looked out.

“Oh, I’m so glad!” exclaimed Lucile.  “Now if we could only hear from Aunt Sallie and Uncle Simon everything would be all right.”

The musicians were in their places.  The hall was well filled, not only with boys and girls who had come to see their chums and playmates act, but with grown folks as well.

“Are you all ready?” asked Mr. Treadwell of Bunny, Sue and the others, as the musicians finished playing the opening piece.

“Yes,” answered Bunny.  “I’m all ready.”

“Is my hair ribbon on right?” Sue wanted to know.

“Yes, you look sweet!” said Lucile.

“Now all ready for act one!” exclaimed the impersonator as he made sure that Snap was in his place.

And then up went the curtain on the meadow scene!

CHAPTER XXIII

ACT II

There was a moment of silence when the curtain first went up, and then as the audience, many of them for the first time, saw the pretty meadow scene, there was loud clapping.  For the opening act was very nicely gotten up.  The scenery Mr. Brown had bought from the stranded vaudeville company had been so set up by Mr. Treadwell that it looked very natural.

“Why, bless me, if that don’t look jest like my south meddar!” exclaimed old Mr. Tyndell, as he looked at the stage.