With what interest they watched the microscopic midshipmite , listened to Rafe as his sweet voice melodiously told the story of his hapless love , and smiled on pretty Josephine , who was a regular bluebird without the scream . `` Ai n't this fun ? '' whispered Jimmy 's next neighbor , taking advantage of a general burst of laughter , as the inimitable little bumboat woman advertised her wares with captivating drollery . `` Right down jolly ! '' answered Jimmy , feeling that a series of somersaults across the stage would be an immense relief to the pent-up emotions of his boyish soul . For under all the natural excitement of the hour deep down lay the sweet certainty that he was earning health for Kitty , and it made his heart sing for joy more blithely than any jovial chorus to which he lent his happy voice . But his bliss was not complete till the stately Sir Joseph , K. C. B. , had come aboard , followed by `` his sisters and his cousins and his aunts ; '' for among that flock of devoted relatives in white muslin and gay ribbons was Will . Standing in the front row , her bright face was good to see , for her black eyes sparkled , every hair on her head curled its best , her cherry bows streamed in the breeze , and her feet pranced irresistibly at the lively parts of the music . She longed to dance the hornpipe which the little Quaker aunt did so capitally , but , being denied that honor , distinguished herself by the comic vigor with which she `` polished up the handle of the big front door , '' and did the other `` business '' recorded by the gallant `` ruler of the Queen 's Navee . '' She and Jimmy nodded to each other behind the Admiral 's august back , and while Captain Corcoran was singing to the moon , and Buttercup suffering the pangs of `` Wemorse , '' the young people had a gay time behind the scenes . Jimmy and Will sat upon a green baize bank to compare notes , while the relatives flew about like butterflies , and the sailors talked base-ball , jack-knives , and other congenial topics , when not envying Sir Joseph his cocked hat , and the Captain his epaulettes . It was a very successful launch , and the merry little crew set sail with a fair wind and every prospect of a prosperous voyage . When the first performance was over , our two children left their fine feathers behind them , like Cinderella when the magic hour struck , and went gayly home , feeling much elated , for they knew they should go back to fresh triumphs , and were earning money by their voices like Jenny Lind and Mario . How they pitied other boys and girls who could not go in at that mysterious little door ; how important they felt as parts of the spectacle about which every one was talking , and what millionnaires they considered themselves as they discussed their earnings and planned what to do with the prospective fortunes . That was the beginning of many busy , happy weeks for both the children , -- weeks which they long remembered with great pleasure , as did older and wiser people ; for that merry , innocent little opera proved that theatres can be made the scenes of harmless amusement , and opened to a certain class of young people a new and profitable field for their talents . So popular did this small company become that the piece went on through the summer vacation , and was played in the morning as well as afternoon to satisfy the crowds who wished to see and hear it . Never had the dear old Boston Museum , which so many of us have loved and haunted for years , seen such a pretty sight as one of those morning performances . It was the perfection of harmless merry-making , and the audience was as pleasant a spectacle as that upon the stage . Fathers and mothers stole an hour from their busy lives to come and be children with their children , irresistibly attracted and charmed by the innocent fun , the gay music that bewitched the ear one could hardly tell why , and the artless acting of those who are always playing parts , whether the nursery or the theatre is their stage . The windows stood open , and sunshine and fresh air came in to join the revel .
Babies crowed and prattled , mammas chatted together , old people found they had not forgotten how to laugh , and boys and XXXXX rejoiced over the discovery of a new delight for holidays .
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