We are going to have a surprise party for mother a week from next Saturday, at four o’clock. Will you please wear your pretty violet gown and pour chocolate and bring a hen. Please bring your father and Bruno.
Your loving little friend
Alice Owen
When Saturday came there was great excitement at the Owens’ house. The children dressed Lady Janet up with a blue ribbon, which Peggy with difficulty tied in a bow around her resisting neck. They gave their mother the little presents they had for her at breakfast-time. It seemed strange she was so unsuspicious.
After the dinner dishes were done, she said she thought she would go down to see Miss Thornton for a little while, and she invited the children to go with her.
“We don’t want to go,” said Peggy.
“I think you ought to change your gown, mother, and put on your pretty black, one, with the thin sleeves,” said Alice.
“My dear child, why should I put on my best gown just to call on a friend?”
“Because it is your birthday,” said Peggy. “We are going to dress up, too. One never knows what may happen on a birthday. Somebody might call.”
If Mrs. Owen began to suspect that something unusual was to happen, she showed no sign of it, but she obediently went up and put on her black gown, with the thin sleeves, while Peggy and Alice dressed up in their best white frocks. Peggy wore a blue sash and Alice a pink one.