"O, papa!" said Dotty, springing into his arms, while her sisters seized him by the coat-sleeves, "you ought to have a birthday to-night, we've got such a splendid supper!"
"Sthop!" cried Katie. "I's talking. Cake, and verjerves, and f'owers, and butter!"
"And Susy's been practising the 'Blue Violet's Carol,'" said Prudy.
"Yes, her packus, uncle Ed'ard!"
"And I'll read the paper to you if your eyes ache," went on Prudy; "and we are going to be just as happy, papa!"
"An' vindegar canny," struck in Katie.
"O, hush, now!" whispered Dotty, covering the child's mouth with her handkerchief.
The whole house was fragrant with flowers, and had such a festive appearance, that Mr. Parlin kept exclaiming, "Ah, indeed!" and stroking his beard. Prudy said she always knew when papa was pleased, for then he always "patted his whiskers."
The table was very attractive, and everybody had a fine appetite. After Mr. Parlin had drank a cup of delicious coffee, he no longer remembered that he was tired. He looked upon the merry group around him, and said to his wife,—
"I see, my dear, you are disposed to make the best of our misfortunes. But, after all, you are not quite as meek as one old lady I heard of once."