“Children,” said Grandpa, one afternoon, “I am going to build a bonfire
this evening, to burn up this rubbish, so you may have a silhouette
party.”
“Why, what is a silhouette party?” asked Lucy, opening her eyes very
wide.
“I know,” said Ralph, “it is funny black pictures on something white.”
“That’s right,” laughed Grandpa. “Now you fly round and write your
friends and Grandma and I will get everything ready.”
When the young people arrived at half past seven, they found a blazing
fire, and in front of it was stretched a sheet between two large apple
trees.
Quite a distance in front of the sheet were some seats, where Grandpa
told some of the children to sit, while the others took part in the
pictures.
He then disappeared with them in a tent close by where Grandma was
waiting to dress them in their different costumes. Shouts of laughter
came from the tent as the children put on their odd dresses; indeed
there was so much fun that it took quite some time.
When all was ready Grandpa came out and addressing the children who were
waiting said, “These are to be Mother Goose pictures, which you will
all know. You must guess whom they represent and the one who guesses
correctly the largest number will receive a prize.”
He threw a large pine knot on the fire, which burned up brightly, and
there the children saw a shadow on the sheet, a little bent figure with
a broom over its shoulder.
“The old woman who swept the cob-webs out of the sky,” cried some one.
Following this, came a figure with a long cloak and tall peaked hat,
leading a dog.
“Old Mother Hubbard,” guessed another.
Then came a boy and a girl carrying a pail.
“Jack and Jill,” chorused the children.
After this a girl with a shepherd’s crook.
“Little Bo-peep,” again was guessed.
“Now,” said Grandpa, “it is time the others had their turn at acting.”
So the exchange being made, the pictures continued.
“Jack Horner,” “Little Miss Muffet,” “Old King Cole,” and “Mary, who had
a little lamb,” followed in quick succession.
Then Grandpa announced that the pictures were over.
“As we cannot decide who has guessed the largest number of pictures,”
said he, “I will give you each a prize.” And he passed them each a card.
It proved to be a picture of Ralph and Lucy cut from black paper and
pasted on a white card.
“These,” said Grandpa, “are silhouette pictures too. Will you always
know what a silhouette picture is now?”
“Oh yes,” said the children.