fter three," she sang until she stopped a moment on the
bridge to see some boys fishing. Just about there, a big dog who was a
friend of Molly's ran out to say, "Good afternoon."

"Oh, Fritzie," cried Molly, "I'm going to Miss Eleanor's to make her a
visit. Want to come?"

But Fritz had the house to look after. So Molly gave him a hug and ran
along.

"Three minutes after five," sang Molly; "three minutes after five," over
and over until she ran into Miss Eleanor's sunny little sitting-room.

"Three minutes after five," cried Molly; "that's how long I can stay.
Won't that be nice?"

"Why, it's little Molly!" cried Miss Eleanor, "I'm all alone and so glad
to have company! We'll hear the clock strike five. Then, if you put on
your wraps, you'll be all ready to start home at three minutes past."

It seemed a very very short time to Molly before the little clock struck
five.

"There, deary," said Miss Eleanor. "Put on your things and hurry right
along!"

Molly put on her hat and coat. Then she kissed Miss Eleanor and hurried
down the street.

When she reached the corner, she saw that the parlor at home was all
lighted. And out of it came such a hubbub of little voices all laughing
and talking that Molly ran faster than ever.

At the door she met Mother.

[Illustration: "SHE STOPPED FOR A MOMENT ON THE BRIDGE."]

"Oh, Molly, _where_ have you been?" cried Mother. "I couldn't go after
you because I couldn't leave Baby. And I couldn't take him."

Molly scarcely heard. "Oh, Mother, Mother," she cried, "it looks like a
party. And it sounds like one. Is it a party, Mother?"

"Yes," said Mother, "your own little party, Molly. And you're the only
one who is late. How could you forget?"

"But I didn't forget, Mother," cried Molly, hurrying out of her coat,
"truly I didn't. Every step of the way I said it, and I said it to Miss
Eleanor the very first thing."

"What did you say?" asked Mother.

"_Three minutes after five_," said Molly.

Mother laughed. "Why, Molly dear, you got the hour and minutes turned
around. I said _five_ minutes after _three_. Well, never mind. Run along
just as you are. It's a lovely party, dear, with truly ice-cream in
it."

EDITH'S TEA-PARTY

BY LOIS WALTERS

Edith was a little girl who was just learning to write. Her mother told
her one day that she could have a tea-party on the next Tuesday, if the
weather was fine, and that she could invite her little friend Helen, who
lived