hink of
me? What can they think of _you_? I shouldn't blame them if they didn't
let their children come, after such an invitation as that!"

Flaxie hung her head. What had _she_ done so very wrong? She could never
bear to be blamed; and I must relate that she was rude enough to slip
out of the house while her aunt was still speaking, followed by Milly.

"She thinks children are goosies, and hates to hear 'em talk," said she,
the tears dripping over her apron.

"I'm drefful 'shamed; aren't you?" said little Milly.

"Yes, I 'spect we've done something _orful_," returned Flaxie.

You will observe that she said "we" this time, quite willing Milly
should have a full share of the blame.

"I can't stan' it, Milly Allen, folks laughing at us so! Did you see
Dodo laughing and laughing and laughing?"

"Yes, I did. She shook all over, and said children were fools."

"My mamma wouldn't 'low her to say that," sobbed Flaxie. "And nobody
comin' to our party, either. Auntie Prim thinks they won't any of 'em
come."

"Oh, yes, they will! their mammas said they might."

"Hope they won't!" said Flaxie, stamping her foot so hard that a
"hop-toad" thought there was an earthquake, and hurried out of the way.
"Hope they won't, any of 'em! I'm not agoin' to go to it myself,--so
there!"

Milly peeped up in surprise.

"I hate it, Milly Allen; let's run away!"

"Why, Flaxie Frizzle!" was all Mabel could say, for the idea of a little
girl's running away from her own party was truly amazing.

"You think I don't dare," said Flaxie; "but I do dare! I'm agoin' right
off in the woods, and stay there! And I _thought_ you's agoin' with me.
You're my twin cousin, and it's your party as much as 'tis mine."

Milly knew this was very wrong, and ought to have said so to Flaxie. If
they had already done one foolish thing, it would make it no better to
do another foolish thing, as _you_ can see in a moment. But Milly wanted
to please Flaxie, so she said stoutly:

"Oh, yes, I'm going!"

Silly children! Flaxie pretended she was running away from her party,
but she didn't mean to _stay_ away. Oh, no! She wouldn't have missed the
party for anything. Even now she was beginning to wonder what Dora was
baking.

The woods were deep and high and dark. Before they had gone quarter of a
mile Flaxie wanted to turn back, but waited for Milly to speak first.

"Oh dear!" cried Milly, trembling, for she had never been in such a
place before. "You s'pose