"Why, we are," said Bumble, "if anybody comes to it. I'm glad you've arrived, anyway, Come in."
"But,—we weren't invited," said Elsie, a little stiffly. "We came over on an errand."
"Indeed you were invited," said Bumble, warmly. "Do you suppose I'd leave you out, my dearest chums? But really, didn't you get an invitation? How funny! They were sent out on Tuesday."
"No," said Elsie, "but if it was a mistake, and you meant to invite us, it's all right. But we didn't know it, you see, so we're not in party frocks. As nobody else is here yet, I think we'll run home and dress up a bit, and then come back again."
"All right," said Bumble, knowing her guests would feel more comfortable if suitably dressed,—and they lived near by. "Skip along, girls, and hurry back."
After they had gone it was nearly seven o'clock, and nobody else appeared. Great consternation was felt by all, and suddenly Patty said, "Who mailed those invitations?"
"Bumble did," said Bob.
"No, I didn't," said Bumble, "I thought you attended to it. Why, Bob, I asked you particularly to look after them."
"I didn't hear you," said Bob; "do you suppose—"
But Patty had already run into the house and returned with her hands full of the invitations to the party.