“It’s rather short notice,” Rusty Wren observed.
“Mr. Crow has been keeping the message for you for some time,” Jolly Robin explained. “He said he thought it would be more of a surprise if you didn’t know about the party too soon.”
“We’ll be there, anyhow,” Rusty’s wife interrupted behind her husband’s back. She had been listening with a good deal of interest to Jolly’s message.
“But you’re not invited,” Jolly Robin told her. “This is a men’s party—so Mr. Crow says.”
“You may tell old Mr. Crow that my husband won’t be able to be present,” Mrs. Rusty Wren snapped. “He’s going to be very busy to-morrow, for he promised to help me with my house-cleaning.”
Rusty Wren looked worried. But he said nothing more just then. He wanted to go to his cousin’s party. But he did not like to argue with his wife, especially in the presence of a neighbor.
Soon Jolly Robin said he must go back to the orchard, because he had to take care of his children while his wife went out to make a call.
Mrs. Rusty did not urge him to stay. And, since she seemed upset over something, Rusty thought it just as well if their visitor did not linger there too long.
“I was just going to the orchard myself to hunt for insects,” said Rusty. “So I’ll go with you.”
Mrs. Rusty shot a quick look at him.