After the children went to bed, they could still hear Miss Pauline’s voice going on and on.
“It’s funny mother likes her so much,” Peggy said. “If I ever grow up I shall have friends who like to do interesting things, and read fairy-stories, and talk on nice subjects, the way Miss Betsy Porter does. Oh, Alice,” she said, shutting up her eyes and then opening them wide, “I am beginning to see things on the wall. Look and see what is coming.”
Alice stared at the wall, in the darkness, but as usual, she could see nothing. “What do you see?” she asked.
“Hens!” Peggy exclaimed dramatically; “white ones, Rhode Island Reds, Plymouth Rocks, yellow ones—all kinds, a regular procession; and I see ladies, too, in bright dresses. They are all going to a hen party.”
“I wish I could see them,” said Alice. “Do you really see them, Peggy?”
“Yes, in my mind’s eye. It is such a nice picture, Alice,” she cried, “let’s have a surprise party of just hens for mother!”
“That would be great!” said Alice.
“We’d ask Mrs. Horton and Clara and Miss Rand.”
“They wouldn’t come all the way from New York.”
“They might come. Sometimes they do come for a week-end, and her birthday comes on a Saturday. And we’ll ask all the Carters, of course. Each family need only give one hen.”