ten
o'clock
We all know what is happening . Sim Askinson , the leader , is making a few well-chosen remarks , and each player is turning around in his chair and going over the faults of his neighbor in the most kindly and thorough fashion . Ed Smith empties out his baritone horn and takes a little practice run , and then they commence to begin -- or begin to start -- or start to commence -- whatever it is , all over again . But when they stop at ten o'clock , they have n't played the `` Washington Post March '' clear through in any one heat . Does n't sound encouraging for the Fourth , does it ? But , pshaw , that 's only practice ! When the big day comes and the boys put on their caps and coats and such trousers as will come nearest to blending with the said coats and march down the street , do they falter and blow up in the back stretch ?