I invited nearly all the Dorcas Society." "And what happened ?" asked the Little Colonel, eagerly.
Mrs.Brewster laughed at the remembrance, such a contagious, hearty laugh, that her bonnet-ribbons shook.
"I never said a word about it at home, but next day, a little while before sundown, I went to the window to watch for them.

Mother, who had been busy all day, boiling cider and making apple-butter, sat down with her knitting to rest a few minutes before supper.

She said she was tired, and that she would not cook much; that mush and milk would be enough.
"She couldn't imagine what had happened when all the ladies appeared, and she sent me to open the door while she hurried to change her dress.
I followed the usual programme; invited them into the guest-chamber to lay aside their wraps and mantles, and then gave them seats in the parlour.

Mother was puzzled when she came in and saw them with their bonnets off, for she supposed, when she saw them coming down the path, that they were a committee from the Dorcas Society, on some business.
But presently one of the ladies patted me on the head, and complimented my pretty manners in delivering the invitation to tea.
"If a piece of the sky had fallen, mother could not have been more surprised, but she gave no sign of it then.

She only smiled and made a pleasant answer.
"I began to feel very comfortable, and to congratulate myself on the success of my little plan.