nine o'clock on the Fourth of July
There were some not so ragged , -- some in dainty white dresses and shining jackets ; but they went down and mingled with the others , -- brothers and sisters for that night at least , -- and were all , oh , _ so _ happy ! How they _ did _ dance and laugh and scream around that fountain , and snap torpedoes and fire-crackers , and shout with wild delight when the rockets shot up into the sky , or the burning wheels span round and round , scattering showers of real fire right in among the crowds of children ! Well , the evening hasted away ; the very last rocket took its bright , rushing way up into the blue sky ; and Mr. Minturn gathered his company around the piazza with the words , -- `` Now , children , Mr. Holbrook has a few words to say to you , and after that , as soon as we have sung a hymn , it will be time to go home . '' Mr. Holbrook was the minister ; many of the children knew him well , and most of them were ready to hear what he had to say , because they knew , by experience , that he was old enough and wise enough not to make a long , dry speech after nine o'clock on the Fourth of July . Only Tip , as he turned longingly away from the last dying spark of the rocket , muttered , `` Bother the preaching ! '' Mr. Holbrook came forward to the steps , as the boys and girls gathered around him . `` Children , '' said he , `` we have had a good time , have n't we ? ''