"Yes, in my mind's eye. It is such a nice picture, Alice," she cried, "let's have a surprise party of just hens for mother!"

"That would be great!" said Alice.

"We'd ask Mrs. Horton and Clara and Miss Rand."

"They wouldn't come all the way from New York."

"They might come. Sometimes they do come for a week-end, and her birthday comes on a Sat.u.r.day. And we'll ask all the Carters, of course.

Each family need only give one hen."

"And Miss Pauline Thornton," said Alice. "They have lots of hens."

"No," said Peggy firmly; "I'm not going to ask her. She'd spoil the party."

"She had on a lovely gown," said Alice, "and she's one of mother's best friends."

Peggy went to consult Miss Betsy Porter about the party, and Miss Betsy thought it a fine idea. She said that Peggy and Alice could bring their note-paper, with colored pictures on it, down to her house, and write the notes, and she would enclose them in a note she would write each person, so they would know there was some responsible person to help about the surprise party, and that it was not merely an idea of the children's. She said she would bring a loaf of her best spice cake and some cookies and sandwiches, and she knew that Mrs. Carter would be delighted to make and pour the tea, and Miss Thornton would pour the chocolate.

"But I don't want Miss Pauline," said Peggy. "She would spoil the party."

"But she is one of your mother's best friends. Whose birthday is it, Peggy? Yours or your mother's?"

"Mother's," said Peggy, hanging her head.

"Pauline is a good sort," said Miss Betsy. "There is no use in disliking good people, Peggy. I think it had better be a small party, for your mother would not want the care of many hens, and, besides, small parties are the most fun. We'll ask all of the Carters--that will make five."

"Six with Uncle Joe--I know he'll come on 'specially for it, if I ask him," said Peggy. "He needn't bring a hen, because he belongs to the family. There's to be just one hen for every family."

"Then, if Mrs. Horton and Miss Rand and Clara should come on," said Miss Porter, "that would make nine, I would make ten, and Miss Pauline eleven."

"If I've got to have Miss Pauline," said Peggy, with a sigh, "I'm going to have the dog and her father."

"All right," said Miss Betsy, "that will make one hen for the Carters, one for the Hortons,--for I'm sure they will give a hen, even if they can't come themselves,--one for the Thorntons, and one for me."

"Not one for you," said Peggy. "You have given me Mr. Henry c.o.x already."

"I would not be left out on any account," said Miss Betsy. "Six hens would be as many as your mother would want, as she isn't planning to run a poultry farm. I am sure Mrs. Horton would like to give a pair--she has so many. I'll suggest they send Rhode Island Reds--it is better to have all of a kind."

"I think it would be more fun to have them different," said Peggy.

"They get along better if they are all of a kind," said Miss Betsy. "I have too many kinds, but I can give you another Rhode Island Red. It is like the Jews and the Italians--they are happier in a quarter by themselves."

"It will be a Rhode Island Red Quarter," said Peggy, in delight. "I can name one Mrs. Rhoda Rhodes."

"I know some people who are named Henn," said Miss Betsy.

Peggy looked doubtful. "It may be all right for people," she said, "but I don't like it for hens. I think Henderson sounds nicer."

She and Alice sat down to write the notes. Miss Betsy made no suggestions, but they were glad to ask her about the spelling. Peggy wrote the notes to the Carters and Hortons, and Alice wrote the one to Miss Thornton.

_Dear Mrs. Carter_, Peggy wrote--

Mother is to have a birthday a week from next Sat.u.r.day, and we are going to celebrate it by giving her a surprise party consisting of hens,--each family to bring one hen,--Rhode Island Reds preferred,--as we have Mr. Henry c.o.x and Mrs. Henrietta c.o.x already. Please ask Uncle Joe to come. He need not bring a separate hen, but can join in with you. Old Michael Parrell has them for sale.

Your loving friend PEGGY

This invitation is for you all,--Dr. Carter, if he is not too busy,--Tom, Christopher, and Diana.

"You haven't given the hour, or asked her to pour tea," Miss Betsy said, as she read the note through.

"Oh, bother! so I haven't. I'll put in a postscript:"

The party will begin at four o'clock. We'd like it if you would pour tea.

Alice's note was as follows:

_Dear Miss Pauline_,

We are going to have a surprise party for mother a week from next Sat.u.r.day, at four o'clock. Will you please wear your pretty violet gown and pour chocolate and bring a hen. Please bring your father and Bruno.

Your loving little friend ALICE OWEN

When Sat.u.r.day came there was great excitement at the Owens' house. The children dressed Lady Janet up with a blue ribbon, which Peggy with difficulty tied in a bow around her resisting neck. They gave their mother the little presents they had for her at breakfast-time. It seemed strange she was so unsuspicious.

After the dinner dishes were done, she said she thought she would go down to see Miss Thornton for a little while, and she invited the children to go with her.

"We don't want to go," said Peggy.

"I think you ought to change your gown, mother, and put on your pretty black, one, with the thin sleeves," said Alice.

"My dear child, why should I put on my best gown just to call on a friend?"

"Because it is your birthday," said Peggy. "We are going to dress up, too. One never knows what may happen on a birthday. Somebody might call."

If Mrs. Owen began to suspect that something unusual was to happen, she showed no sign of it, but she obediently went up and put on her black gown, with the thin sleeves, while Peggy and Alice dressed up in their best white frocks. Peggy wore a blue sash and Alice a pink one.

"It will be great to get mother out of the house," said Peggy. "I'll telephone to Miss Pauline that she is coming, so she can slip out before she gets there, and Mr. Thornton can keep mother until four o'clock, and then he and Bruno can walk back with her."

"That will be great," said Alice.

Mrs. Owen was disappointed not to find Pauline at home, and she was going to call on Mrs. Carter when Mr. Thornton invited her in with such a courtly bow that she could not refuse. She noticed that he gave an uneasy glance at the clock, from time to time.

"I am afraid I am keeping you from some engagement," she said at last.

"I was going out for a walk with Bruno at four," said he. "We will walk home with you if you will let us."

"I shall be delighted, and so will the children."

There was no one in sight when she opened the front door, but there was a suspicious noise from the dining-room. People seemed to be walking about and setting the table.