"Well, it's quite impossible for you to give as costly a party as Hiram's, for your father is a poor man in comparison to his, my son."
"I know it," and John once more threw himself forward and laid his head on his mother's lap.
"So we must think of something fantastic and fanciful," Mrs. Colfax resumed, "and hope that the unusualness of your party will compensate for the expensive supper and orchestra of Hiram's."
"What would you give, mother? For you know right off I could never plan a new party any more than if I was a--"
"A--barber's pole--or a wax figure, or any other know-nothing thing."
"You're interested in Indians, aren't you?"
"_Indians!_" and jumping to his feet John trod forcibly across the floor, as if he was on his way to encounter a whole tribe of them. Then he slowly stated: "I should remark that I am. But what have Indians to do with my party?"
"You'll see," and Mrs. Colfax, leaning back in her chair, inquired: "How would you like to play that you are Hiawatha just for a night? In fact, the invitations might read:
"Oh, go on, mother," were John's impatient words, as Mrs. Colfax hesitated a second; "I can hardly wait," and giving a low whistle, he shouted: "Excellent, fine, clever! Hiram is welcome to his new toggery for aught I care; I'll appear in Indian array--eagle feathers, bead necklaces, bracelets, moccasins, and all. What a jolly scheme!" and John stood as erect as though his eagle plumes were already waving above his head.
"And perhaps, since Hiram is your most intimate friend, he would take the character of Chibiabos, for
"Very dear to Hiawatha Was the gentle Chibiabos.
"And then another of your friends should be the very strong man Kwasind, and then, of course, there must be Laughing Water, Minnehaha, and the old arrow-maker, her father."
"Would it be a Hiawatha party or an Indian party?"
"Neither, John, because all of Longfellow's people should come. The only reason I have been talking about Hiawatha was because we might as well fix your character at once."
"Oh, that's the how of things. Are you sure there would be enough characters to go around?"
"Without a doubt, John;" and then, with an affectionate gesture on her big boy, Mrs. Colfax added, "I guess somebody that I know would better read Longfellow's poems over again."