-----------------------------------------------------

TROT, TODDLES, AND THE TEA-PARTY.

Trot walked slowly up-stairs, repeating the words she had heard,--

"If you want the entertainment to be a success, you must draw up a
programme, and carry it out."

She looked very solemn, for she felt the importance of the occasion. On
the day following she and Toddles were to give their very first party;
and four little girls and four little boys, not to mention the four
dolls of the four little girls, were coming to take tea with Trot and
Toddles and mother.

Trot had thought about it a great deal, and so had Toddles, wondering
what would happen, and what they should do to make the guests enjoy
themselves.

[Illustration: "TODDLES STOOD IN FRONT OF HER."]

The two children had spent many half-hours talking the matter over, and
each time the conversation had ended by Toddles saying,--"Well, never
mind; there'll be tea." He had found out from cook that there would be
two kinds of jam provided for the tea-party, and he felt quite sure that
even if there were fourteen little boys and fourteen little girls
expected, they would enjoy themselves thoroughly if they had plenty of
jam. But Trot did not agree with him, and declared that the question
could not be settled that way.

[Illustration: "'HIGHER!' SHOUTED TODDLES."]

The speech which Trot had overheard suggested all kinds of plans, and
she made her way into the nursery to talk over the party once more with
Toddles.

Toddles was in the middle of a grand sea-fight. His tin soldiers were
sailing about on books on the sea of the nursery floor, and Toddles was
firing first at one ship, and then at another, with a large glass
marble. Toddles did not wish to be disturbed.

"Toddles," said Trot, "the tea-party is settled at last. If you want the
entertainment to be a success, you must draw up a programme, and carry
it out."

"Six down at one shot!" cried Toddles; "and the captain among them,
too."

"Toddles," said Trot solemnly, "you do want the entertainment to be a
success, don't you?"

[Illustration: "TODDLES FELL DOWN."]

Bang! bang! "There'll be tea," cried Toddles.

Trot touched him on the shoulder.

"Do come and talk about the party, Toddles," she said. "I have thought
of a new game to play at."

Toddles looked up at last; he was beginning to feel interested. Trot's
new games always meant fun, though they sometimes ended in a scolding
from nurse.

"Wha