* * * * * * * *
Of course the news of Aunt Judith's party flew through the neighborhood, and many were the questions that Rose was asked to answer.
To each, she shook her curly head, and made the same reply.
"Aunt Judith intends it to be quaint, and everything will be old-fashioned, and we are all to wear real old-time costumes, but that is all I will tell you, because Aunt Judith wishes it to seem quaint, and a bit of a surprise when you come. It won't be any surprise at all if I tell you all about it now."
"Don't you tell it, Rose, not even to me," said Princess Polly.
"Nor me!" cried Sprite.
"If she's kind enough to plan a party for us children, we ought to let her have it just as she wishes it to be."
Gyp sat upon the wall, listening to all that was being said. He was full of mischief, and often he had annoyed Aunt Judith with his pranks.
"She's agoin' ter make a party fer 'em!" he said to himself.
He still sat on the wall, swinging his skinny legs when those who had stood talking of the event had walked together down the street. Polly and Sprite had lagged behind to talk with Rose until a maid had called to Polly that Mrs. Sherwood wished them to come in.