"Misses Angelina, Marie, Cosette, Lady Gay, Peg, Master Alfonso, why, listen! Here's a letter come for you. What can it be? Pay very strict 'tention while I read it. If you'd gone to school every day I've been so busy, perhaps you could read it yourselves; but, of course, when my hands are so full, I can't possibly get you off, and you are so helpless. Aren't you 'shamed? I think--yes, I think you all look ashamed except Peg. If you don't look ashamed in one minute, Peg,--just one minute I'll give you,--you sha'n't hear this! There, that will do! You needn't cry, dear child! Now, I'll read."
Every doll looked deeply interested except poor Peg who had fallen on her side. "Why, it's an invitation to a Dolls' Party! Listen!"
[Illustration: "It's an invitation to a Dolls' Party."]
[Illustration: Poor Peg, who had fallen on her side.]
May I have the pleasure of your company at a Doll's Kitchen Party this afternoon at three o'clock?
P.S. Anyone coming late will be fined a pink riblon. In case she has'nt a pink riblon her hair will be pulled.
[Illustration: "Of course you'll wear your dress suit."]
"Now, dears," Mary Frances smiled upon them, "no wonder you look surprised; for that's a grand invitation, all written out on real paper. I had an awful time getting it to sound right. I'm not sure that it is just exactly correct yet. So we'll get dressed right away. Now don't all ask at once what you'll wear. Yes, Fonsey, of course you'll wear your dress suit. What of it if it isn't proper to wear it until after six o'clock? You have only your work clothes and that suit and you'll have to wear your best."
Everybody was quiet and good as gold while Mary Frances finished dressing them.
"There," she said to herself, "the last sash is tied. Goodness, I'm tired--tired-er than if I'd been cooking the whole morning! Aren't dolls stupid compared with Kitchen Folks? I do wonder what the Kitchen Folks will do. Will they talk before them?"
[Illustration: Looking very anxious and excited.]
"Now, you dolls, be good, and take a nap," she warned, "so that you won't be sleepy at the party. I must go and get ready."
As she tied on her apron in the kitchen, she noticed Aunty Rolling Pin looked very anxious and excited. She couldn't seem to keep still, but kept rolling to and fro, watching Mary Frances' every motion.