That's another thing he told me to tell you." The child's name was now called from the top of the stairs, and the Gossburger's head craned itself over the hand-rail.

Fudge opened with a sharp bark, and Masie, with an air kiss to Ganger, raced up the steps, the dog at her heels, shouting as she ran: "Tell Mr.Dogger I send him a kiss, and I thank him ever so much, and won't he please come and see me very soon." When she had disappeared, the old fellow leaned forward, gazed knowingly at Felix, and in soft-pedal tones said: "You see, Sam couldn't say EXACTLY when the party was to take place because--well, because he hasn't heard a word about it, and won't until I get back.

It is my party, not Sam's, and I've got to break it to him gently.

And I've got to fool him about the party, make him think it's his party, or he'll think I'm holding it over him because I've got a little more money than he has, just as I intend to fool him about the picture.

I couldn't say, when you asked me, when the day was to be fixed, because I've told lies enough to that dear child.