queen's sheep in mother's story."

"I don't suppose Spot would thank you at all," said Mr. Norton. "The
cream would make her ill, and the ribbon would fidget her dreadfully
till she pulled it off."

"Oh dear!" sighed Milly. "Well, I suppose Spot had better not have any
birthday then. But, father, what do you think? Becky and Tiza don't care
about their birthdays a bit. Becky could hardly remember when hers was,
and they never have any presents unless Aunt Emma gives them one, or
people to tea, or anything.'

"Well, you see, Milly, when people have only just pennies and shillings
enough to buy bread and meat to eat, and clothes to put on, they can't
go spending money on presents; and when they're very anxious and busy
all the year round they can't be remembering birthdays and taking pains
about them like richer people can, who have less to trouble them, and
whose work does not take up quite so much time."

"Well, but why don't the rich people remember the poor people's
birthdays for them, father? Then they could give them presents, and ask
them to tea and all, you know."

"Yes, that would be a very good arrangement," said Mr. Norton, smiling
at her eager little face. "Only, somehow, Milly, things don't come right
like that in this world."

"Well, I'm going to try and remember Becky's and Tiza's birthdays," said
Milly. "I'll tell mother to put them down in her pocket-book--won't you,
mother? Oh, what fun! I'll send them birthday cards, and they'll be so
surprised, and wonder why; and then they'll say, 'Oh, why, of course
it's our birthday!'--No, not _our_ birthday--but you know what I mean,
father."

"Well, but, Milly," asked Mrs. Norton, "have you made up your mind what
you want to do this birthday?"

Milly stopped suddenly, with her hands behind her, opposite her mother,
with her lips tightly pressed together, her eyes smiling, as if there
was a tremendous secret hidden somewhere.

"Well, monkey, out with it. What have you got hidden away in your little
head?"

"Well, mother," said Milly, slowly, "I don't want to _have_ anybody to
tea. I want to go out to tea with somebody. Now can you guess?"

"With Aunt Emma?"

"Oh no, Aunt Emma's coming over here all day. She promised she would."

"With Becky and Tiza?"

Milly nodded, and screwed up her little lips tighter than ever.

"But I don't expect Mrs. Backhouse will want the trouble of having you
two to tea.

"Oh mother, she won't mind a bit. I know she