They were all in Miss Persis’ room, the large southwest corner room, in their rocking-chairs, sitting in the sun. The cats lay in the big cat-basket, basking in the golden warmth.
When Mama Nan came in, her mother told her the plan. “Did I ever hear anything so absurd!” cried Mama Nan.
Papa Dick said, “Why not?” and helped the plan on.
So Mary Ellen had the celebration. It was held in Mrs. Persis’ sunny sitting-room, and she was taken in in her best embroidered robe and blue ribbons with a pink rose stuck in each bow, and the cats had new blue ribbons with rosebuds tied in—and what do you think was the center-piece on the tea-table?
Why, Mary Ellen herself, on a pink sofa pillow, nestled in among the big lace ruffles!
And her birthday presents? Six white sugar-candy doves. And when, one by one, they were held up to her face to see, what do you think Mary Ellen did? At the last dove she put out her little pink tongue on its white breast and had her first taste of candy.
MARY ELLEN AND THE CANDY DOVE.
It was a beautiful time, and too bad it was little Mary Ellen couldn’t ever remember it!
Ella Farman Pratt.