“Why, there’s a classic poem, something like this:
“‘Smarty
Had a party;
Nobody came
’Ceptin’ Smarty!’
And my tea will be like that! The garden looks lovely, the cakes and ices are dreams of beauty, and I mean to be a charming hostess; but, alas, my guests are so few.”
“Who are coming? Every one you know in Rome, I suppose.”
“Yes, but that’s only Flo, and the Van Winkles, and Mr. Homer. Oh, yes, I asked Mr. Leland, but I don’t know as he’ll come. And Violet asked leave to bring Milly Mills, some girl she knows, whose mother is an invalid, so Milly can’t go out much.”
“Well, you’ll have more guests than Smarty had,” said Nan, consolingly. “And your father and I, and Mr. and Mrs. Valentine, will make a fine background of elderly respectability.”