“Have an automobile party,” suggested Roger, who was present.
“I don’t mean that kind,” said Bertha, “I mean a party in the house, but something that would be fun. There isn’t anything to do on Fourth of July except have fireworks, and that isn’t much fun.”
“I’ll tell you what,” said Mr. Phelps, who was at Pine Branches on one of his flying visits, “have a Christmas party.”
“A Christmas party on Fourth of July!” exclaimed Bertha, “that’s just the thing! Mr. Phelps, you’re a real genius. That’s just what we’ll do, and we’ll have a Christmas tree, and give each other gifts and everything.”
“Great!” said Roger, “and we’ll have a Yule log blazing, and we’ll all wear our fur coats.”
“No, not that,” said Bertha, laughing, “we’d melt. But we’ll have all the Christmas effects that we can think of, and each one must help.”
The crowd of merry young people who were gathered at Pine Branches eagerly fell in with Bertha’s plan, and each began to make preparations for the festival.
The girls made gifts which they carefully kept secret from the ones for whom they were intended, and many trips were made to the village for materials.
The boys also had many mysterious errands, and Mr. and Mrs. Warner, who entered heartily into the spirit of the fun, were frequently consulted under strict bonds of confidence.
Fourth of July came and proved to be a warm, though not a sultry summer day.