Roberta knew that Mother had written the words on purpose for her birthday.

It was a little way of Mother's on birthdays.

It had begun on Bobbie's fourth birthday when Phyllis was a baby.

Bobbie remembered learning the verses to say to Father 'for a surprise.' She wondered if Mother had remembered, too.

The four-year-old verse had been:-- Daddy dear, I'm only four And I'd rather not be more.
Four's the nicest age to be, Two and two and one and three.
What I love is two and two, Mother, Peter, Phil, and you.
What you love is one and three, Mother, Peter, Phil, and me.
Give your little girl a kiss Because she learned and told you this.
The song the others were singing now went like this:-- Our darling Roberta, No sorrow shall hurt her If we can prevent it Her whole life long.
Her birthday's our fete day, We'll make it our great day, And give her our presents And sing her our song.
May pleasures attend her And may the Fates send her The happiest journey Along her life's way.
With skies bright above her And dear ones to love her! Dear Bob! Many happy Returns of the day! When they had finished singing they cried, "Three cheers for our Bobbie!" and gave them very loudly.