THE PARTY.
"Mr. Long Nose, have you been for the mail?" asked Cockletop, as Long Nose was returning from a walk.
"Yes," answered Bill, "I called. Only a letter for Lady Gray, though. Here, Lazybones, take this to the lady."
Lazybones never objected to taking mail to Lady Gray, because she always gave him something.
That night Lady Gray's maid came to the second henhouse and handed a folded paper to Red Nose Mike. He opened it and read:—
"Mr. Mike:
"Dear Sir:—I wish all of you to come to Hen Castle at eight o'clock to-night.
"Lady Gray."
Red Nose called all the people together and read aloud the note. They all, except Henny Penny, said they would go. Then Mike seated himself at the table and wrote:—
"Lady Gray: