But there were a good many of us, and the
soldiers were cheerful assistants. I was on the supper committee,
which really dwindled down to a committee of one at the very last, for
I was left alone to put the finishing touches to the tables and to
attend to other things. The vain creatures seemed more interested in
their own toilets, and went home to beautify themselves.
The commanding officer kept one eye, and the quartermaster about a
dozen eyes upon us while we were decorating, to see that no injury was
done to the new building. But that watchfulness was unnecessary, for
the many high windows made the fastening of flags an easy matter, as
we draped them from the casing of one window to the casing of the
next, which covered much of the cold, white walls and gave an air of
warmth and cheeriness to the rooms. Accoutrements were hung
everywhere, every bit of brass shining as only an enlisted man can
make it shine, and the long infantry rifles with fixed bayonets were
"stacked" whereever they would not interfere with the dancing.
Much of the supper came from Kansas City--that is, the celery, fowls,
and material for little cakes, ices, and so on--and the orchestra
consisted of six musicians from the regimental band at Fort Riley. The
floor of the ballroom was waxed perfectly, but it is hoped by some of
us that much of the lightning will be taken from it before the
hospital cots and attendants are moved in that ward.
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