"We must take Highboy and Lowboy for company," said she, "but Alligator and the others won't do at all. How much is four times thirteen?"
"Fifty-two," said Andy after a moment.
"That's a great many cookies," said Hortense. "I do hope Aunt Esmerelda bakes this afternoon so there are sure to be enough. You see, both Highboy and Lowboy will have to eat thirteen cookies, too, making fifty-two for all of us."
"I wonder how many Alligator would have to eat?" said Andy. "Most likely a whole jar full, he's so big."
"He can't ride anyhow," Hortense began, and then clapped her hand to her mouth and refused to say another word.
On her way to supper, however, she looked into the cooky jar and found it full to the top. She very carefully counted out fifty-two cookies and carried them up to her room in her apron.
That night, when all was still and Andy had come by his usual route through the basement, Hortense took him and Lowboy to her room.
"What's up to-night?" asked Lowboy. "Oh, I see, upstairs."
"If you make bad jokes, you can't come with us," Hortense warned him.
Lowboy promised to be good, and Hortense brought out the cookies and divided them into four piles of thirteen each.