"Here is grandmother. Light the fire, Peter. Light the fire, Polly."
Peter and Polly each took a match. Peter lighted the open fire at the left. Polly lighted it at the right side.
Soon the kindling wood began to crackle. Then the flames leaped high in the fireplace.
Grandmother had come over to supper. She was to spend the evening. It was her birthday. Peter and Polly were to stay up later because of this.
The Story Lady was coming to supper, too. Perhaps, just perhaps, she would tell them a story. She knew stories about everything.
"Here she is now," cried Polly. And the Story Lady walked in at the door with grandmother.
Soon supper was ready. Polly had helped mother set the table. She thought that it looked very pretty.
Grandmother's birthday cake was in the center. On it were a dozen small, colored candles. Polly had helped to put them there.
When mother had shown her the candles, she had said, "Why, mother, grandmother is more than twelve years old.
"She must have a candle for every year. That is what I have."