“What did you say to Aunt Maria?” Eleanor inquired as they walked along.
“Please come to my Garden Party next Wednesday. We’ve been industrious enough this Summer to please even you!
“I don’t want to tell you any more, for fear I’ll spoil the surprise, but we won’t have a bit nice time unless you are with us. I’ll never forget how pleased you were with my cooking surprise.
“With love, which I want to give you in real hugs, and real kisses,
“Mary Frances, do you dare hug your Aunt Maria? I’d never dare, I’m sure. The very thought scares me! She always seems so cross.”
Mary Frances laughed. “I used to feel the same way,” she said, “but after I found out that she was cross just because she was afraid——”
“Yes, afraid, and ashamed that somebody might think she was loving and kind. When I found that out, I felt different. I was sorry for her.”
“I know she loves you dearly,” Eleanor admitted.
“She’s a dear old bear who growls just for fun, and I hope she comes to the party. Grandma will come, I know, and——”
“So will Father and Bob,” finished Eleanor.
They were at the post office by this time. On their way home they discussed their plans.
“Billy will bring the tables to the play house on Tuesday,” said Mary Frances, “and we’ll all do everything we can to get ready.”
“What shall we have for refreshments?” Eleanor asked.
“Why, I think it would be lovely to have everything from our garden—of course, excepting the ice-cream,” Mary Frances laughed. “I wonder how this would be:
Tomato and Lettuce Salad with Mayonnaise Dressing Creamed Potatoes Cucumber Relish
Sandwiches Green Pepper and Cheese Nasturtium
“Oh, Mary Frances, that sounds perfectly wonderful to me!” exclaimed Eleanor, “but how can you manage to serve so many things?”
“It won’t be hard to manage,” Mary Frances answered, well pleased. “I’ve thought it all out carefully. We can have the mayonnaise dressing all ready for the salad the day before, and can make the sandwiches Wednesday morning if we wrap them in waxed paper.”
“How do you make those sandwiches, Mary Frances?” asked Eleanor.
“Oh, I’m glad you asked that, for they are so good, Eleanor. Use—
3 five-cent packages cream cheese 2 green peppers, chopped very fine
Mix together and spread on well-buttered thin slices of bread. Cover each with another buttered——