Part 53 (1/2)

Molly was such a little girl that she didn't seem big enough to have a party all her own with truly ice-cream in it. But she had asked for one so many times that at last Mother decided to give her one. And the party was to be a surprise to Molly herself.

Early that afternoon Molly wanted to go for a little visit to Miss Eleanor. Miss Eleanor lived up Molly's street, in a white house with apple-green blinds. Molly often went all alone.

Miss Eleanor was always so sunny and full of songs and stories and games that Molly loved her next best to Father and Mother and Baby.

”You may go, dear,” said Mother, ”if you will come home exactly at three o'clock.”

”You always say exactly three o'clock, Mother,” said Molly.

”Well, five minutes after three, then,” laughed Mother. ”And, Molly, so that you won't forget this time, all the way to Miss Eleanor's, say over and over, 'Five minutes after three.' Then, just as soon as you get there, say the words quickly to Miss Eleanor, 'Five minutes after three.'”

”Five minutes after three,” said Molly; ”I can remember that.”

”That will give me plenty of time to get ready for the party,” thought Mother.

Up the street with her white parasol flew Molly. ”Five minutes after three,” she said over and over in a whisper until she began to sing it.

”Five minutes after three,” she sang until she stopped a moment on the bridge to see some boys fis.h.i.+ng. Just about there, a big dog who was a friend of Molly's ran out to say, ”Good afternoon.”

”Oh, Fritzie,” cried Molly, ”I'm going to Miss Eleanor's to make her a visit. Want to come?”

But Fritz had the house to look after. So Molly gave him a hug and ran along.

”Three minutes after five,” sang Molly; ”three minutes after five,” over and over until she ran into Miss Eleanor's sunny little sitting-room.

”Three minutes after five,” cried Molly; ”that's how long I can stay.

Won't that be nice?”

”Why, it's little Molly!” cried Miss Eleanor, ”I'm all alone and so glad to have company! We'll hear the clock strike five. Then, if you put on your wraps, you'll be all ready to start home at three minutes past.”

It seemed a very very short time to Molly before the little clock struck five.

”There, deary,” said Miss Eleanor. ”Put on your things and hurry right along!”

Molly put on her hat and coat. Then she kissed Miss Eleanor and hurried down the street.

When she reached the corner, she saw that the parlor at home was all lighted. And out of it came such a hubbub of little voices all laughing and talking that Molly ran faster than ever.

At the door she met Mother.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”SHE STOPPED FOR A MOMENT ON THE BRIDGE.”]

”Oh, Molly, _where_ have you been?” cried Mother. ”I couldn't go after you because I couldn't leave Baby. And I couldn't take him.”

Molly scarcely heard. ”Oh, Mother, Mother,” she cried, ”it looks like a party. And it sounds like one. Is it a party, Mother?”

”Yes,” said Mother, ”your own little party, Molly. And you're the only one who is late. How could you forget?”

”But I didn't forget, Mother,” cried Molly, hurrying out of her coat, ”truly I didn't. Every step of the way I said it, and I said it to Miss Eleanor the very first thing.”

”What did you say?” asked Mother.