Indeed, it was the very next day.

And the very next day was Christmas, too.

Think of having a birthday and Christmas on the same day!

How would you like that?

Jack was going to have a birthday party.

Or was it a Christmas party?

Jack couldn't tell which it was.

All the children were coming,—Boy Blue, and Mary, and Alice, and Tommy Tucker, and ever so many more.

There was a secret about the party.

Jack's mother had told him, but he would not tell.