"I tell you what," said Grandfather proudly as they sat down to dinner a minute later, "it's all very well to be a circus lady but personally, I prefer a good cook, Mary Jane, and if you keep on as you've begun, you'll be a good one!"
"I'm going to keep on," said Mary Jane, proudly, "'cause it's more fun than playing."
"Good for you," said Grandfather, "and by the way, Mother, have you told her where she's going to-night?"
"Not a word," said Grandmother, smiling.
"Goody!" cried Mary Jane, clapping her hands happily, "it's a surprise."
"Yes, it is," laughed Grandmother, "you never did it before that's certain. But you have to finish your dinner and then take a good nap—a really for sure enough nap, before you know a single thing about it so it's no use to ask questions. I'll tell you this much though," she added as she saw Mary Jane look a bit disappointed, "you'll wear your best dress and your biggest hair ribbon."
Now what in the world was coming? Mary Jane couldn't think and she went to her nap wondering and wondering and wondering.
THE STRAWBERRY SOCIABLE
It's awfully hard to go to sleep when you're wondering all the time what you're going to do when you wake up. But Mary Jane finally did drop off to sleep—perhaps the fact that Grandmother pulled down the shades helped. However it was, Mary Jane slept soundly and had to be called twice when it was time to get up. She blinked open her eyes and was just trying to guess if Grandfather had gone down to his breakfast when Grandmother called, "do you wear a sash with your best dress, dear?"