"Oh, it's a party! A surprise party! Come quick, Carita."
There was a great stamping of snow from many pairs of feet, glad greetings of welcome, mingled with shouts of laughter. The old house rang with merriment.
Mrs. Clyde and her daughter did not act as if they were greatly surprised. Indeed they had been taken into the secret some days before. So had Katie, who at that moment was preparing all sorts of good things in the kitchen, to be served the young people later.
Blue Bonnet gave each of the We Are Sevens an extra hug, and looked into their faces long and eagerly.
"Why, you haven't changed a bit!" she remarked.
One might have thought the separation had covered five years, rather than five weeks.
"But you have, Blue Bonnet—lots! What is it?" Kitty asked.
"It's her hair," Debby discovered. "She's put it up! And her dresses are longer, too."
There was a general inspection, during which the boys looked on disinterestedly.
The evening passed like a dream to Blue Bonnet. It was so good to be at home again, among one's friends; people who loved you for yourself.