J.—And the surprise is going to be that you are going to receive an invitation from us, just like the real invitations you get from your friends.
M.—I see!
R.—But the thing that will surprise you most will be that we are going to do it ourselves, won't it?
M.—(Smiling.) Yes, I must say that will be the most surprising thing of all.
R.—Then, first, here's the invitation.
M.—Oh, this is most exciting. (Reads.) "Ralph and Janet request the pleasure of your company at their very own tea-party on Wednesday afternoon."
R.—Isn't that a surprise for you, Mammy?
M.—It is, indeed, most astonishing. Now I must answer this, I suppose?
J.—Of course you must, just as if you were writing to strangers, you must end it "your loving Mrs. Vernon," or something stiff of that sort.
R.—Of course you mustn't put "your affectionate Mother," as you do when you really write to us, you know.