BY ALICE E. ALLEN
Molly was such a little girl that she didn’t seem big enough to have a party all her own with truly ice-cream in it. But she had asked for one so many times that at last Mother decided to give her one. And the party was to be a surprise to Molly herself.
Early that afternoon Molly wanted to go for a little visit to Miss Eleanor. Miss Eleanor lived up Molly’s street, in a white house with apple-green blinds. Molly often went all alone.
Miss Eleanor was always so sunny and full of songs and stories and games that Molly loved her next best to Father and Mother and Baby.
“You may go, dear,” said Mother, “if you will come home exactly at three o’clock.”
“You always say exactly three o’clock, Mother,” said Molly.
“Well, five minutes after three, then,” laughed Mother. “And, Molly, so that you won’t forget this time, all the way to Miss Eleanor’s, say over and over, ‘Five minutes after three.’ Then, just as soon as you get there, say the words quickly to Miss Eleanor, ‘Five minutes after three.’”
“Five minutes after three,” said Molly; “I can remember that.”
“That will give me plenty of time to get ready for the party,” thought Mother.
Up the street with her white parasol flew Molly. “Five minutes after three,” she said over and over in a whisper until she began to sing it. “Five minutes after three,” she sang until she stopped a moment on the bridge to see some boys fishing. Just about there, a big dog who was a friend of Molly’s ran out to say, “Good afternoon.”