CARNIVAL SEASON own. But now the party must hasten home. Too long have they lingered among the pine trees, and much longer yet could they tarry, were there not other arrangements for the evening. But dinner was awaiting them at the dwór; and at nine o’clock, as the dining-hall filled with the gay company, in evening dress, you scarce would have recognized them as the same persons who had gathered about the camp-fire among the pine trees but a few hours previously. There is always time for everything in Poland, for the rich. The dinner lengthened itself out until well toward eleven o’clock. Then came the “grand ball,” for this is Ash Wednesday, the last day of gayety before the Lenten season begins. What a delight it is to watch the Polish men and women dance! It comes naturally to them, and I really believe they would much prefer dancing to any other occupation. While the
manor-folks
confine
themselves
to
the
more
conventional forms of the dance, down in the village the peasants dance to the wild mazurkas and sing weird folksongs. But in hut or mansion, there is gayety abroad this last night of freedom; a short hour, and then, Lent, fasting, 135