surprised--though I understand that you usually attend a
singing-party about this time o' day."
"Yes!" said Mr. Frog. "But I'd much prefer to come to yours."
"My what?" inquired Long Bill Wren, as a puzzled look appeared upon
his face.
"Your party, of course!" Mr. Frog replied with a wide smile.
Now, Rusty Wren wished he had not called at Mr. Frog's shop at all.
If he had only come straight to his cousin's house, he thought that
he would have spared himself--and his cousin, too--a good deal of
trouble. And, since he didn't know what to say, he kept still for a
few moments and let the others do all the talking.
Meanwhile, Long Bill hopped briskly outside his house, and joined
them on the ground.
"My party!" he cried. "Why, I know of no party here! Somebody has
made a mistake. I haven't given a party for a year--just a year ago
to-day.... I invited you at that time," he told Rusty Wren, "but
you didn't come. And I never received any word from you about the
matter."
"That's strange!" said Rusty. "This is the first I ever heard of
the affair."
"I engaged Mr. Crow to take your invitation to Jolly Robin in the
orchard and ask him to give it to you," Long Bill informed his
bewildered cousin.
"That's just the way this invitation reached me yesterday!" Rusty
explained.
"Ah! I see it all now," said Long Bill. And he began to laugh
merrily. "Mr. Crow's poor memory is to blame for your mistake. He
forgot to deliver the message last year. And he happened to
remember it only yesterday. So the news reached you just twelve
months too late."
Although Long Bill Wren continued to laugh heartily, neither Mr.
Frog nor Rusty could manage even a faint smile. Having expected a
merry time and plenty to eat, they were both disappointed.
But Mr. Frog soon said that so far as he was concerned, he still
had a singing-party that he could attend, so he didn't feel sad
very long. And, after all, Rusty was glad to see his cousin, Long
Bill Wren. They had a pleasant chat together for almost an hour.
And Long Bill invited Rusty to stay to dinner.
Rusty thanked him and said, no! he must hasten home, because he had
to go to bed early, on account of having to awaken Farmer Green at
dawn the next morning.
When he returned to the old cherry tree Rusty had to answer a good
many questions. His wife wanted to know what had kept him so long,
and what Mr. Frog said, and what color his new Sunday coat was
going to be.
When she learned that her husband's visit to the tailor had been
all in vain, she looked very suspicious and said quickly:
"You haven't been at a party, have you?"
"No, indeed!" Rusty Wren replied. "I haven't gone to a party for
more than a year."
And he seemed quite indignant that his wife should have such a
strange idea in her head.
THE END
[Illustration: The Umbrella Seemed to be Very Heavy]
[Illustration: Kiddie Faced Leaper the Locust]
[Illustration: Freddie Sat on Top of the Banner]
[Illustration: "He's A Peaceable Fellow," Said Jolly Robin]
[Illustration: Mr. Frog Looked Over Mr. Crow's New Coat]
[Illustration: "Good Morning, My Dear!" Said Mrs. Flicker.]
[Illustration: Buster Shouted For Everybody to Keep Quiet.]
[Illustration: Freddie Was Bumped Into By Jennie Junebug]
[Illustration]
JOLLY BOOKS FOR
LITTLE FOLK
_Parents of boys and girls from three to eight years of age are
assured by the names of such famous authors of children's books as
Arthur Scott Bailey, Lillian Elizabeth Roy and David Cory that
these little books will prove both entertaining and instructional.
They are all bound in cloth with colored end papers, black and
white illustrations and colored wrappers._
TUCK-ME-IN TALES--_by Arthur Scott Bailey_
These delightful stories in which well known birds and insects are
the characters are based upon actual natural history facts, and
while the youngster eagerly listens to them, a moral foundation of
deeper importance is being laid. The complete list of titles in
this series is on inside front flap of this wrapper.
THE LITTLE WASHINGTON BOOKS--_by Lillian Elizabeth Roy_
In these little stories two families of young cousins, all
descendants of George Washington, conceive the clever idea of
carrying out in their play the dramatic events of Washington's
life. Every boy and girl will receive a true and unforgettable
picture of the great career of the Father of His Country through
the play acting of these ingenious youngsters. See flap of this
wrapper for complete list.
LITTLE JOURNEYS TO HAPPYLAND--_by David Cory_
Children will recognize in these amusing adventures characters they
know and love. Mr. Cory is the author of the famous "Little Jack
Rabbit" stories and is one of the best known authors of children's
books of our times. See flap of this wrapper for complete list of
titles.
GROSSET & DUNLAP
_Publishers_
NEW YORK