Although Marjorie’s mother was in the room, she had little to say, for Grandma Maynard was accustomed to dominate everything in her own house.  And as her ideas were not entirely in accord with those of her daughter-in-law, the younger Mrs. Maynard thought it wise not to obtrude her own opinions.

Promptly at four o’clock the children began to come.  The Maynards stood in a group at one end of the long room, and as each guest arrived, a footman stationed at the doorway announced the name in a loud voice.  Then each little guest came and curtsied to the receiving party, and after a few polite remarks, passed on, and was ushered to a seat by another footman.

The seats were small, gilt chairs with red cushions, arranged all round the wall, and there were about forty.

In a short time the guests were all in their places, and then the Maynards were shown to their seats.

Then the professional entertainer arrived.  She proved to be a pretty and pleasant young lady, and she wore a light blue satin gown and a pink rose in her hair.

First, she sang a song for them, and then she told a story, and then she recited a poem.

Then she asked the children what they would like to have next.  At first no one responded, and then a little girl said, “Won’t you sing us another song, please.  You sing so delightfully.”

Marjorie looked in amazement at the child who talked in such grownup fashion.  But the entertaining lady did not seem to think it strange, and she replied, “Yes, I will sing for you with pleasure.”

So she sang another song, but though it was pretty music, Marjorie could not understand the words, and she began to think that the programme was rather tiresome.

The lady kept on telling stories and reciting poems, and singing, until Marjorie almost had the fidgets.  It seemed so unlike her notion of a children’s party, to sit still and listen to a programme all the afternoon, and she grew cramped and tired, and longed for it to be over.  But the city children did not seem to feel that way at all.  They sat very demurely with their hands clasped, and their slippered feet crossed, and applauded politely at the proper times.  Marjorie glanced at King and Kitty, and their answering glances proved that they felt exactly as she did herself.  However, all three were determined to do the right thing, and so they sat still, and tried to look as if they were enjoying themselves.

At half-past five the programme came to an end, and the children were invited to go out into the dining-room for the feast.

The dining-room was transformed into a place of beauty.  Small tables accommodated six guests each, and at each place was a lovely basket of flowers with a big bow of gauze ribbon on the handle.  Each table had a different color, and the flowers in the basket matched the ribbon bow.  Marjorie’s basket was filled with pink sweet peas, while at another table Kitty had lavender pansies, and King found himself in front of a basket of yellow daisies.