e in a loud voice. Then
each little guest came and curtsied to the receiving party, and after a
few polite remarks, passed on, and was ushered to a seat by another
footman.

The seats were small, gilt chairs with red cushions, arranged all round
the wall, and there were about forty.

In a short time the guests were all in their places, and then the
Maynards were shown to their seats.

Then the professional entertainer arrived. She proved to be a pretty and
pleasant young lady, and she wore a light blue satin gown and a pink
rose in her hair.

First, she sang a song for them, and then she told a story, and then she
recited a poem.

Then she asked the children what they would like to have next. At first
no one responded, and then a little girl said, "Won't you sing us another
song, please. You sing so delightfully."

Marjorie looked in amazement at the child who talked in such grownup
fashion. But the entertaining lady did not seem to think it strange, and
she replied, "Yes, I will sing for you with pleasure."

So she sang another song, but though it was pretty music, Marjorie could
not understand the words, and she began to think that the programme
was rather tiresome.

The lady kept on telling stories and reciting poems, and singing, until
Marjorie almost had the fidgets. It seemed so unlike her notion of a
children's party, to sit still and listen to a programme all the
afternoon, and she grew cramped and tired, and longed for it to be over.
But the city children did not seem to feel that way at all. They sat very
demurely with their hands clasped, and their slippered feet crossed, and
applauded politely at the proper times. Marjorie glanced at King and
Kitty, and their answering glances proved that they felt exactly as she
did herself. However, all three were determined to do the right thing,
and so they sat still, and tried to look as if they were enjoying
themselves.

At half-past five the programme came to an end, and the children were
invited to go out into the dining-room for the feast.

The dining-room was transformed into a place of beauty. Small tables
accommodated six guests each, and at each place was a lovely basket of
flowers with a big bow of gauze ribbon on the handle. Each table had a
different color, and the flowers in the basket matched the ribbon bow.
Marjorie's basket was filled with pink sweet peas, while at another table
Kitty had lavender pansies, and King found himself in front of a