Mamma Miller told Fay and Lonnie that they might have a party, so they
tried to get ready for it. But the party was very different to what they
expected. It always happens so about everything, if we pay no regard to
one another’s wishes.
Mrs. Miller said they might invite ten children.
“You write to five little girls, Fay,” said she, “and Lonnie will write
to the five little boys.”
So they went into the library. Lonnie sat down in papa’s big chair,
while Fay climbed up on one arm, close beside him, and they tried to
think whom they would like to come to their party.
“Make out your list first,” said Lonnie. Fay did, and her brother agreed
to all the girls. But as soon as Lonnie commenced writing his names, Fay
began to find fault.
“I don’t like boys, anyway,” said Fay, “only you, Lonnie. Let’s have all
girls at our party.”
“But it won’t be my party,” said Lonnie, “if you have all girls.”
“I don’t care, all those are horrid,” pointing to his paper.
“You say that because you don’t like boys.” And then he told his sister
that every little fellow whose name he had written was just as good as
gold. And so they were just as good as Lonnie Miller, and he was one of
the best boys that ever lived, so everybody said.
“I sha’n’t play with him if he comes,” Fay kept saying to every name
Lonnie wrote.
“You can have your party,” said Lonnie, getting up out of the easy-chair
and sitting down in a smaller one, “you and your girls. I’m going to
learn some new pieces,” taking up his little silver blower.
“I don’t like boys,” Fay kept saying, jumping down off the arm of the
chair, and aiming a blow at the spot where her brother had sat with the
rustic stick their sister Lucia had brought home May Day.
Lucia was passing the door just then, so she thought she would see what
all the noise was about.
“I’d better call you to lunch,” said she, and there they were just
through breakfast.
Mamma herself came hurrying in at sound of the bell. When they told her
about the invitations, she said, “I shall not let you have any party at
all, now.”
“What makes you change your mind?” said Fay.
“Mamma will give her little girl just one week to find out why she has
changed her mind,” said Mrs. Miller.
And for all Fay’s coaxing, she could not be persuaded to stay a minute
longer.