"A surprise party to go and see Jasper; and we are to start to-morrow.
Now, Ben!" and Phronsie, her news all out, beamed up into his face.
"Oh, so it's Jasper's surprise party," cried Ben.
"Yes, and it's ours too; because you see we didn't any of us think
Grandpapa was going to do it," said Phronsie.
"Well, it's my surprise party, too," said Ben lugubriously, "for I'm astonished; and beside I'm left out in the cold."
"O, Ben, can't you go?" cried Phronsie, her face falling instantly.
"No, Pet; wait till you get to be a business man and you'll see that surprise parties can't be indulged in very often."
"Won't Mr. Cabot let you go?" asked Phronsie, with an anxious droop of the head. "O, I think he will; truly I do."
"I sha'n't ask him," said Ben; "I'm sure of that."
"But Grandpapa will," said Phronsie, her face changing.
"No, no, Pet; you mustn't say anything about that. I'd rather stick to the business. There, come on; they're wild, I suppose, upstairs, to tell the news."