The Midnight Mutiny of Annabel McCarty

Miss Annabel McCarty was invited to a party. 'Your company from four to ten,' the invitation said. And the maiden was delighted to think she was invited to sit up till the hour when the big folks went to bed. The crazy little mid-night ran up and told the rest, who clapped her hands, and danced a jig, to Annabel’s delight, and said, with accents hearty, 'Twill be the sweetest party if ye’re there yourself, my darling! I wish it was to-night.'

There was music, there was dancing, and the night was most entrancing, as if fairy-land and floral band were holding jubilee. Miss Annabel McCarty was the youngest at the party, and every one remarked that she was beautifully dressed. Like a doll she sat demurely on the sofa, thinking surely it would never do for her to run and frolic with the rest. The noise kept growing louder; the naughty boys would crowd her; 'I think you’re very rude indeed!' the little lady said; and then, without a warning, her home instructions scorning, she screamed: 'I want my supper and I want to go to bed!'

Now big folks, who are older, need not laugh at her, or scold her, for doubtless, if the truth were known, we’ve often felt inclined to leave the ball, or party, as did Annabel McCarty, but we hadn’t half the courage, and we couldn’t speak our mind.