"Very good, my child," commented David. "However, what I was about to say was this: My party is not to be in a house. It is an open-air party. We are to meet at the Omnibus House, to-morrow afternoon at four o'clock. Two very distinguished gentlemen have also been invited—Mr. Reddy Brooks and Mr. Hippy Wingate."
A shout of laughter went up from the girls
"Distinguished, indeed," cried Nora. "It will be a delightful party I am sure."
"Shall we bring food for Hippy!"
"No," laughed David. "Let him eat the apples he finds on the ground. If we feed him on every festive occasion he will soon be too fat to walk, and we shall have to roll him about on casters."
"What a terrible fate," said Anne smiling.
"Well, girls? do you promise to attend?"
"Yes? indeed!" cried the four girls.
"Be sure not to surprise us with a disappointment."
"The main thing is not to disappoint you with the surprise," were his parting words.