Another name for this entertainment would be “A Midwinter Flower FÊte.” It is charming at any time of the year, however, as both the winter and the flowers can be made to consist wholly of costumes and decorations.

The guests are received by “Mistress Mary” of Mother Goose fame, with several “pretty maids all in a row.” The members of this reception committee should be dressed as for a garden party, in white or light dresses, large hats, etc. They may be chosen from the Intermediates or older Juniors, or from the grown-up society; perhaps they might be the Junior superintendent and Junior committee.

Entering, the guests find themselves, to their surprise, not in a garden, but in a world of ice and snow. Cotton sprinkled with diamond-dust is on all sides, with red berries and evergreen from the winter woods; tables are spread for a feast in an ice grotto where the palest of blue and green draperies are combined with mirrors and lights so arranged as to increase the illusion; and there is a constant tinkle of invisible sleigh-bells.

Just as every one begins to shiver, there comes a burst of gay music; and Mistress Mary’s flower-garden appears in the midst of the wintry surroundings. It is a striking and pretty contrast. The smallest Juniors are chosen for this part of the entertainment. While the children are coming in, some one should sing the time-honored lines:

or, as one version has it, “flower-maids all in a row.” The small Juniors are dressed as follows: The boys in closely fitting suits and caps of green, trimmed with strings of sleigh-bells and small shells; the girls in dresses and hats of tissue-paper or crape paper, each girl representing a flower. The blossoms most easily imitated can be selected by studying a florist’s catalogue or a botany with colored plates. Some wild flowers are delightfully suited to the purpose; such as the buttercup, the daisy, the blue marsh clematis, the pale yellow adder’s-tongue, the pink swamp mallow, the wild rose, the bluebell, and the Carolina lily in its brilliant hues of crimson, orange, and brown. Then there are nasturtiums, asters, morning-glories, sweet peas, and chrysanthemums; in fact, the list will be found to be a long one. Ribbons and artificial flowers may be used as trimmings where they will heighten the effect.

Each child should carry a basket decorated with the appropriate flower or with “cockle-shells” or “silver bells,” as the case may be, and filled with small articles for sale. A fancy drill is given on entering; and, if desired, some appropriate flower songs or recitations may be added. Then the contents of the various baskets should be offered for sale.

If any of the guests do not understand where the “contrary” part of the entertainment comes in, ask them if they ever knew a flower-garden so contrary to nature as to grow in such surroundings before their eyes. Of course, the Juniors are never contrary in any other way.