Mrs. Burton’s thoughtful expression and her husband’s frown disappeared together as they seated themselves at the table. Both boys wriggled vigorously until their aunt raised her plate, and then Budge exclaimed:
“A penny for each year, you know.”
“Thirty-one!” exclaimed Mrs. Burton, after counting the heap. “How complimentary!”
“What doesh you do for little boys on your bifeday?” asked Toddie, after breakfast was served. “Mamma does lots of fings.”
“WHERE DID THE CARDS COME FROM?”
“Yes,” said Budge, “she says she thinks people ought to get their own happy by makin’ other people happy. An’ mamma knows better than you, you know, ’cause she’s been married longest.”
Although Mrs. Burton admitted the facts, the inference seemed scarcely natural, and she said so.
“Well—a—a—a—a—anyhow,” said Toddie, “mamma always has parties on her bifeday, an’ we hazh all de cake we want.”
“You shall be happy to-day,” said Mrs. Burton; “for a few friends will be in to see me this afternoon, and I am going to have a nice little luncheon for them, and you shall lunch with us, if you will be very good until then, and keep yourselves clean and neat.”