Part 18 (2/2)

_Dear Mrs. Carter_, Peggy wrote--

Mother is to have a birthday a week from next Sat.u.r.day, and we are going to celebrate it by giving her a surprise party consisting of hens,--each family to bring one hen,--Rhode Island Reds preferred,--as we have Mr. Henry c.o.x and Mrs. Henrietta c.o.x already. Please ask Uncle Joe to come. He need not bring a separate hen, but can join in with you. Old Michael Parrell has them for sale.

Your loving friend PEGGY

This invitation is for you all,--Dr. Carter, if he is not too busy,--Tom, Christopher, and Diana.

”You haven't given the hour, or asked her to pour tea,” Miss Betsy said, as she read the note through.

”Oh, bother! so I haven't. I'll put in a postscript:”

The party will begin at four o'clock. We'd like it if you would pour tea.

Alice's note was as follows:

_Dear Miss Pauline_,

We are going to have a surprise party for mother a week from next Sat.u.r.day, at four o'clock. Will you please wear your pretty violet gown and pour chocolate and bring a hen. Please bring your father and Bruno.

Your loving little friend ALICE OWEN

When Sat.u.r.day came there was great excitement at the Owens' house. The children dressed Lady Janet up with a blue ribbon, which Peggy with difficulty tied in a bow around her resisting neck. They gave their mother the little presents they had for her at breakfast-time. It seemed strange she was so unsuspicious.

After the dinner dishes were done, she said she thought she would go down to see Miss Thornton for a little while, and she invited the children to go with her.

”We don't want to go,” said Peggy.

”I think you ought to change your gown, mother, and put on your pretty black, one, with the thin sleeves,” said Alice.

”My dear child, why should I put on my best gown just to call on a friend?”

”Because it is your birthday,” said Peggy. ”We are going to dress up, too. One never knows what may happen on a birthday. Somebody might call.”

If Mrs. Owen began to suspect that something unusual was to happen, she showed no sign of it, but she obediently went up and put on her black gown, with the thin sleeves, while Peggy and Alice dressed up in their best white frocks. Peggy wore a blue sash and Alice a pink one.

”It will be great to get mother out of the house,” said Peggy. ”I'll telephone to Miss Pauline that she is coming, so she can slip out before she gets there, and Mr. Thornton can keep mother until four o'clock, and then he and Bruno can walk back with her.”

”That will be great,” said Alice.

Mrs. Owen was disappointed not to find Pauline at home, and she was going to call on Mrs. Carter when Mr. Thornton invited her in with such a courtly bow that she could not refuse. She noticed that he gave an uneasy glance at the clock, from time to time.

”I am afraid I am keeping you from some engagement,” she said at last.

”I was going out for a walk with Bruno at four,” said he. ”We will walk home with you if you will let us.”

”I shall be delighted, and so will the children.”

There was no one in sight when she opened the front door, but there was a suspicious noise from the dining-room. People seemed to be walking about and setting the table.

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