“And Miss Pauline Thornton,” said Alice. “They have lots of hens.”
“No,” said Peggy firmly; “I’m not going to ask her. She’d spoil the party.”
“She had on a lovely gown,” said Alice, “and she’s one of mother’s best friends.”
Peggy went to consult Miss Betsy Porter about the party, and Miss Betsy thought it a fine idea. She said that Peggy and Alice could bring their note-paper, with colored pictures on it, down to her house, and write the notes, and she would enclose them in a note she would write each person, so they would know there was some responsible person to help about the surprise party, and that it was not merely an idea of the children’s. She said she would bring a loaf of her best spice cake and some cookies and sandwiches, and she knew that Mrs. Carter would be delighted to make and pour the tea, and Miss Thornton would pour the chocolate.
“But I don’t want Miss Pauline,” said Peggy. “She would spoil the party.”
“But she is one of your mother’s best friends. Whose birthday is it, Peggy? Yours or your mother’s?”
“Mother’s,” said Peggy, hanging her head.
“Pauline is a good sort,” said Miss Betsy. “There is no use in disliking good people, Peggy. I think it had better be a small party, for your mother would not want the care of many hens, and, besides, small parties are the most fun. We’ll ask all of the Carters—that will make five.”
“Six with Uncle Joe—I know he’ll come on ’specially for it, if I ask him,” said Peggy. “He needn’t bring a hen, because he belongs to the family. There’s to be just one hen for every family.”
“Then, if Mrs. Horton and Miss Rand and Clara should come on,” said Miss Porter, “that would make nine, I would make ten, and Miss Pauline eleven.”