AUNT JUDITH'S PARTY
The flowered chintz draperies hung at the windows, the pink roses, and
green leaves on its shiny surface looked fairly gaudy. The candles
danced and flickered in the candelabra, evergreen framed every picture
on the walls.
Aunt Judith's quaint sofa and chairs had always been covered with
crimson repp, and the color seemed brighter in the evening light.
The old hand-made rugs looked quaint upon the floor, and the logs in
the grate burned gaily, as if anticipating the arrival of the little
guests.
Of all the fine, quaint things in the room, Aunt Judith was surely the
finest, and the quaintest. Her gown was of old-time print, a white
ground upon which bouquets of pansies, purple and yellow, had been
finely printed. Her black eyes were bright with excitement, and in her
glossy black hair, she had placed an old silver comb.
Her sleeves were elbow length, and she wore long black silk mitts. She
had made her toilette with great care, and she now stood on the hearth
rug, nervously opening and shutting a small folding fan.
The little maid peeped in.
"Please ma'am, I hear 'em comin'," she said.
"Wait 'til they ring, and then answer the bell," said Aunt Judith.
The little maid looked very pretty, and she was delighted to be "in
costume," for the occasion. Her skirt, of heavy cotton, was white,
with wide pink stripes. Her waist was blue with a large white kerchief,
and on her flaxen head was a white cap with a frill that made her rosy
little face quite pleasing.
Greta liked her new place. She liked her new mistress, too, and the
work at the little cottage was light.
Aunt Judith was a worker, and together they kept the pretty rooms in
perfect order.
The bell rang sharply, Greta opened the door, and the quaintest little
figures that ever were seen came tripping into the hall.
It was not to be a ceremonious affair, so Greta took their wraps at
the door, and they entered the little parlor to greet Aunt Judith.
Princess Polly in crisp print, with yellow primroses on a white ground,
a pale green kerchief, and yellow ribbons in her hair, was fair, and
lovely to look upon.
Rob Lindsey in brown homespun with a yellow vest, walked beside her,
looking very like a lad of the olden time.
Lena Lindsey, in a green and white striped gown, a wreath of white
roses and green leaves in her hair, with Leslie Grafton in scarlet
linen with white lace frills at her neck, and in her sleeves, were two
quaint lassies, and Harry Grafton in gray linen with huge white collar,
and gaily flowered tie, made a trio that delighted Aunt Judith.
She had asked Rose to come as a guest, instead of standing with her
to receive.
She had wished to see dear little Rose Atherton among her other guests,
simply because she thus could see her more in the same way that she
saw the other children, and she wanted to judge if she looked like
that other little Rose Atherton who once had worn that same gown.
Uncle John knew that it was to be a children's party, but he decided
to accept Aunt Judith's invitation to be present, and enjoy their
pleasure with her.
Shouts of laughter greeted his costume! Knee breeches of yellow linen,
a waistcoat of white linen damask, with lace frills on his bosom and
at his wrists, together with a coat of flowered striped material, made
him look like some old portrait suddenly alive.
Rose close beside him, in the pretty frock that Aunt Judith had loaned
her, clung to his right arm as they entered together, little Sprite
Seaford on his left.
Her gown was one that her great grand aunt had once worn, and it was
most becoming. Uncle John Atherton had especially asked her to go to
the party with Rose and himself. Her yellow hair was braided in two
long braids and crowned with a muslin cap. Her frock was blue, with
white blossoms upon it, and from its belt hung a steel bead bag that
held her handkerchief.
Gwen was not invited.
Aunt Judith detested her rude ways, and she would not choose a guest
who might spoil a pleasant evening by her bad behavior.
A young friend of Uncle John's arrived a bit late, and surely his
costume was the most unusual of any of the guests. Captain Atherton
had seen the little suit in an antique shop in England. He had purchased
it, believing that some such occasion as the present might occur, when
the droll coat and trousers, the little waistcoat, and the comical cap
would be just the thing for a slender lad to wear. Walter Langdon was
indeed a quaint figure, as, with Captain Atherton, he went forward to
greet Aunt Judith, and be introduced to the other guests.
His coat, a funny little "swallow tail," was of yellow green, his
trousers matched it, his waistcoat, or vest, was striped, lilac and
white, and his cap, green like the suit, had a long tassel hanging
down on one side. His fair hair, in a soft bang, showed below the edge
of his cap, and his eyes, wide open and merry, appeared to be just
ready for a gay laugh.
He knew that he looked absolutely comical, and he thought it great fun
to appear at the party in a costume that provoked laughter. He proved
to be a bright, cheery boy, full of fun, and wit, and soon the other
boys and girls felt as if they had always known him.
Uncle John wore a costume that had belonged to his great, great uncle,
and he looked very handsome in it. He made them all laugh by saying
that he wished that his ancestor had been just a wee bit larger, because
then the suit would have been somewhat easier, instead of such a _close
fit_.
But while he seemed pleased with all of his new friends, it was Rose
Atherton whom Walter liked best of all.
"And now," said Aunt Judith, "I've tried to make this party a truly
old-fashioned one, and what do you say to playing some very
old-fashioned games?"
"Oh, yes, yes!" they cried. "What shall we play first?"
"Blind Man's Buff," cried Uncle John, "and I'll blind first. Here,
Rose! Tie this handkerchief over my eyes!"
Rose tied the handkerchief, and then the fun began.
"He's peeking!" cried Walter, "so he can be sure to catch Rose."
"I'm not peeking. Honest _Injun_!" declared Uncle John, exactly as he
had heard the boys say it.
"Catch _me_!" cried Leslie, at the same time dodging him, and he grasped
empty air.
"And _me_!" cried Lena, just behind him, springing past him as he
turned.
Sprite made no sound as she tried to pass him, but was just a bit too
slow, and he caught her.
"Ah, I know who I've found!" he cried, "because no other little girl
but Sprite has such long, silken braids."
He lifted the handkerchief, and laughed to see her blushing cheeks.
It was now Sprite's turn. Slowly she advanced, her pretty hands
outstretched, and oddly enough she at once caught Lena Lindsey. Her
little face was puzzled, and earnest, as she felt of the hair, the
cap, and the gown. Then, in an instant, she passed her slender fingers
over the chin.
She laughed merrily.
"It's Lena!" she cried gaily, "for it is Lena who has a deep dimple
in her chin!"
Each took his turn at being blindfolded, and then "Post office" was
announced.
Polly received a great batch of letters, and it was Rob, of course,
who "_mailed_" them. Polly sent five "letters" to Rose, Rose had ten
for Uncle John, Uncle John had two for Aunt Judith, who protested
that she was "not a child."
"Neither am I," he said.
Aunt Judith chose little Sprite, then Sprite chose Harry Grafton. Harry
had five letters for Polly, and Polly had one for Walter, who declared
that he _found two_!
"Copenhagen" was the next, and "Pillow" was the next.
Princess Polly, Rose and Sprite were the most favored of all the little
lassies, and it would have been hard to say which of the three was the
most popular.
They were now a bit tired, and while they were resting, Aunt Judith
told a long story of a most exciting sleighing party that she once
experienced, when the horses became frightened, and went plunging over
the snow covered fields, having left the roadway far behind.
Then Uncle John matched it with a vivid tale of an encounter with a
vessel manned by ocean outlaws. The children held their breath, and
they felt very warm and cosey and secure, as they sat watching the
dancing flames, and listening to tales of adventure.
"Now let us all enjoy a simple, old-time treat," said Aunt Judith. She
tapped a tiny silver bell, and the pretty maid in her striped gown and
kerchief appeared with a tray on which were little sandwiches cut in
fancy shapes, and filled with chicken, others filled with lettuce, and
yet others with chopped nuts. Gyp did not dream that nuts were ever
served thus.
There were plates of dainty cakes, and tiny wine glasses filled to the
brim with delicious raspberry shrub. How the children enjoyed the
simple treat!
The sandwiches and cakes disappeared like magic, and the wee wine
glasses were filled again and again with the spiced raspberry juice.
Greta piled her tray with an extra supply, and returned to the parlor,
where the children were chattering like sparrows while they enjoyed
the treat.
"I think this is a lovely party," said Princess Polly.
"So do I!" cried the others, as if with one voice.
"I think these are the nicest boys and girls I ever met," said Walter,
adding, "_especially_ the girls."
His merry gray eyes were laughing, and Uncle John said, as he looked
at the eager, boyish face:
"You shall come often to my home here at Avondale, and become even
better acquainted with my young friends, and neighbors."
"I'd like to, sir," Walter replied, "for I want them to be _my_
friends."
"We _will_! We _will_!" cried an eager chorus.
It was later than they dreamed when the clock chimed the hour, and
they took leave of Aunt Judith telling her how quaint and delightful
the party had been, and how truly they had enjoyed the evening. Captain
Atherton took the entire party under his protection, and they walked
home together, talking all the way of the kindness of Aunt Judith in
planning the pleasure for them.
* * * * * * * *
Very early next morning an impish figure sat astride the old wooden
pump that stood near the door of the cottage.
He seemed to have no interest in anything save that door, and he sat
very still, his eyes riveted upon it.
The old pump had not been used in years, but it served for a fine
pedestal for Gyp.
At last he heard the key turn in the lock, and he was all attention.
The little maid opened it, and took in the milk jar.
"Where's _her_?" he demanded. "I want ter see _her_!"
Greta nodded, and ran in to call Aunt Judith.
"There's the queerest looking boy sitting out on top of the old wooden
pump, and he says he wants to see you," said Greta.
Half guessing who it was, for what other boy would make an early morning
call, and choose so odd a seat while he waited, Aunt Judith went to
the door, and looked out.
"Did you wish to see me?" she asked with a pleasant smile, but Gyp had
apparently forgotten what he had intended to say.
"The nuts were fine," Aunt Judith said, "and I want to thank you for
them."
"_That's_ what I came fer. I wanted ter know if them nuts was any
good?"
"They were very nice indeed, and Gyp, I'll give you something that
will show you just what I did with them. Wait a moment."
Gyp waited, wondering if he had quite understood her. Who had ever
given him anything?
Aunt Judith came to the door with a plate of sandwiches.
"There, Gyp," she said, "those sandwiches on that side of the plate
are chicken but these on this side are filled with some of your nuts."
"Oh, who ever heard of bread stuffed with nuts!" he cried. "They're
_great_!" he cried a moment later, "but I don't want the plate. We
take what we eat in our _hands_ at home."
He suited the action to the words, for although the sandwiches were
small, he managed to grasp one with both hands, demonstrating that it
could be done.
"That was a kind little note that you sent with the bag of nuts," Aunt
Judith said, "and since you've promised to be _my_ friend, Gyp, I
promise to be _yours_."
"All right!" cried Gyp, "when does it begin?'
"What?" she asked in surprise.
"Why, _us_ bein' friends," said Gyp.
"_Now_, Gyp, my boy. _Now_!" said Aunt Judith. "Come in and we'll talk
it over."
"Oo-o-o! Not now!" cried Gyp, "but to-night, if I darest ter, I'll
dress up, and come."
He slid down from the tall old wooden pump, gave three wild hops, and
then raced off across the field toward the old shed-like building that
he called home.
She watched his flying figure from the doorway, and as he disappeared
behind a clump of bushes, she turned, and closed the door.
"Strange, wild little fellow!" she said. "I wonder if he'll come!" And
when night came, she found herself listening for the sound of a quick
step.
At last it came, and quickly Aunt Judith opened the door. Gyp walked
in very meekly, and sat on the edge of a chair seat, his old hat in
his hands. His hair was painfully smooth, and he wore a bright striped
shirt, an old red tie, and while his suit could hardly be called
"dressy," it certainly showed that the boy had brushed it, and that
he had tried to improve his appearance.
At school he had learned that he must remove his hat when he entered
a room, a fact that had greatly surprised him, but he had remembered
it.
Aunt Judith felt that she must work carefully, lest Gyp be seized with
fear, and bolt for the door, and freedom.
Gently she told him how, by doing his best, he would find friends who
would deal kindly with him. That he might have friends if he chose,
and that he could, by good behavior, force them to respect him.
"I will be your friend," she said, "and Gyp, let me prove it. Rose
tells me that you find your lessons hard to master. Bring them to me
evenings, and I will help you with them. You may come Wednesday, and
Saturday evenings, and perhaps you can win promotion, so as to climb
steadily up to a class of your own age."
"Do you think I _could?_" he asked. "Would they _let_ me?"
"_Make_ them do it, Gyp. You're smart enough. Come! What do you say?
Let's try," Aunt Judith said.
"I'll do it," he said, "and if you help me, maybe I can get out of
that class. They laugh at me, and it makes me mad to be called 'baby.'"
"Come over here with your books Saturday evening, and we'll see what
we two can do," was the earnest reply.