They had not told Peter because they thought he would think it silly.

But they told him afterwards, when it had turned out all right.
They cut a big bunch of roses, and put it in a basket with the needle-book that Phyllis had made for Bobbie on her birthday, and a very pretty blue necktie of Phyllis's.

Then they wrote on a paper: 'For Mrs.
Ransome, with our best love, because it is her birthday,' and they put the paper in the basket, and they took it to the Post-office, and went in and put it on the counter and ran away before the old woman at the Post-office had time to get into her shop.
When they got home Peter had grown confidential over helping Mother to get the breakfast and had told her their plans.
"There's no harm in it," said Mother, "but it depends HOW you do it.

I only hope he won't be offended and think it's CHARITY.

Poor people are very proud, you know." "It isn't because he's poor," said Phyllis; "it's because we're fond of him." "I'll find some things that Phyllis has outgrown," said Mother, "if you're quite sure you can give them to him without his being offended.