SURPRISES
"Why, Gail, what are you doing?" asked Faith one cold, dull November day, as she hurried into the kitchen from her village trip, and found the older sister picking two plump hens.
"Can't you see?" smiled the girl, glancing up from her task with an excited, happy sparkle in her eyes.
"Yes, I can see, but what is the occasion? Has Peace made another raid on the hen-house with poison or rat-traps? I shouldn't suppose we could afford chicken unless by accident. Thanksgiving is more than two weeks off."
"What day is tomorrow? Am I the only one who remembers?"
"November tenth—your birthday! Oh, Gail, it had slipped my mind for the minute! No wonder you are getting up a celebration if everyone forgets like that."
"Oh, it isn't on account of the birthday, Faith; that just happened. It's the mortgage—"
"Of course, I knew it was due soon, but the relief at being able to get the money made me overlook the exact date, I guess. So that is the cause of your excitement!"
"Partly, and then we are to have company for dinner, too."
"Who?" demanded Faith, again surprised.