Vinnie's birthday was on the 12th of August, and she was to see that the invitations were sent out and the guests invited to her house. The rest was to be kept a profound secret, and as neither Tad's nor Gussie's friends were in the habit of collecting near the house, on account of the known sensitiveness of Mrs. Turner's nerves, it was easy to make all the necessary arrangements.
Tad rigged a fish-net on the lawn, following the exact directions given in Harper's Young People, and was wonderfully well pleased with his success. Vinnie and Gussie encouraged him by their presence, and admired the ease and skill with which he drove the posts and fastened the guy-ropes.
"It's splendid!" exclaimed Vinnie. "Is that all? I don't know much about the game, but I'd like to learn it."
"It's easy," said Tad. "We'll practice before Thursday, if—"
Here Tad gave a comical look toward Gussie, who returned it with a shake of the head. Vinnie caught the signs, but could not interpret them.
"What is it?" she asked. Tad walked off with his hands in his pockets. "It's an if, and you must tell me, Gussie, or I'll be real angry."
"It's mean," replied Gussie, her bright face in an unusual snarl. "We need the racquets and balls, and Tad says they'll cost at least two dollars."
"And did he suppose I'd let him buy them?" asked Vinnie, an indignant color flushing her cheek. "Why, this is my party, you remember!"
"Yes, but it's our lawn, don't you know, and we mustn't have the wrong kind of a racket on it."
Vinnie failed to appreciate the joke, not having much acquaintance with the game. But she talked the matter over with Mrs. Dean, and on Wednesday morning, when Tad was busy picking up the sticks and stones about the lawn, an express wagon drove up to the gate, and a parcel was handed him marked