The Birthday Feast
"Well," said Henry Fairchild, "it is just as I knew it would be;
mine is the prettiest story, and it is the longest, and that is something."
"No, no!" replied Emily; "if a story is stupid, its being long only makes it worse."
"But it is not stupid," says Henry, "as it comes in at the end so nicely, and in so much bustle. I do love a story that ends in a great bustle."
"Well," said Emily, "my story finishes with as great a bustle as yours; and we must say that Lucy has chosen two very nice books; so, Lucy, we thank you with all our hearts."