Rice’s to spend the day. When she
came© home she ll come home to a
party! It shall be a complete sur
prise.”
“LoA-ely, Charm! Xoav let us plan.”
So they planned, sitting there on
the back steps of the small gray
house. Avhile the Avrens Avarbled like
miniature prima donnas and the lilacs
sent forth delicious fumes of
fragrance.
For a long time they had wanted to
do something for Aunt Viny Avhich
Avould shoAv her how much they ap
preciated her presence in their house
hold. Aunt Viny was their only a'-ail
able relatiA-e. and Avhen their mother
died she had moved over to Hat
with the young Duffs. She was a lei
surely, serene old AA'oman Avho cro
cheted a great deal in bright wool,
loved a little harmless gossip and a
cup of Japan tea- Os negligible utility,
sbe AA'as yet considerable of an orna
ment, and. the Duffs loA'ed to a\ -lit on
her. They crimped Aunt Yiny’s
snowy hair and piled it into a regal
heap on her head. They AA'ould have
fed and dressed her if there had l>een
any need. As it Avas, they petted her
to their heart’s content, and Aunt
Viny. AA'ho had never enjoyed am- too
much affection, basked beautifullA* in
the warmth of so much adoration.
Without Aunt Viny tlic girls would
have been quite distraught, for T’ine-
A'illo permitted of no outlet for theii
I abounding energies.
