“And a very extra special one to make up,” said her Father.
So that was that, and Barbara didn’t really mind a bit, because she loved being in the country, and she had her birthday to look forward to when she got home again.
Now there was a family living in the village called—I forget the name, and the family was Mr. and Mrs. Somebody, Helen Somebody, Susan Somebody, Henry Dog and Mrs. Perkins. Barbara got very friendly with them, and one day Helen and Susan were coming to tea with her, because it was her last day but one.
“I wish you could stay to April the Fifteenth,” said Susan, “because it’s my birthday and I’m five, and Henry’s three, isn’t it funny?”
“I’m six as soon as I get back,” said Barbara. “I would have been six to-day, if I had been well.”
“Do you mean it’s your birthday?” said Helen excitedly.
Barbara explained how, because of having a Change, she wasn’t being six till three days later this year.
“But you are six, you are six,” said Helen, jumping up and down. “Isn’t she, Susan?”
Susan said: “I’m five on April the—”
“Of course you’re six, so we must make it a birthday party. And please will you invite Mr. Henry Dog and Mrs. Perkins as well as us, so as to make it a big party?”