A BIRTHDAY STORY At the same time she cap, or perhaps an apron. drew forth the " cracking thing," which she loved " crack." But she to pull and hear it go always did head turned with arm's her so at away, and length she was too frightened to pull it all by herself. Their nurse's voice was heard calling Maisie to come up and be dressed. Hilda, w ith a guilty, conscience-stricken look, had barely time to throw the useless "cracking thing" out of the open window, r
and to hide the rest of the cracker in the first thing at hand (which happened to be the doll's house), when they both entered laughing and carried her off too, to be curled and be-ribboned for the party.
my birthday cake, Hilda," cried Maisie, " It's booful But Hilda still about. capering the sweet, and from that nauseous tasted liqueur couldn't enter into any pleasing ideas of cake. "I've seen
'
!
Ready first, she ran into the nursery, curious as ever as to the pink and green paper bundle, took it out, unfolded it, and found that it would have formed a crown it
only
in her hurry.
didn't join together she had torn She stamped her foot with vexation,
it
;
and was wondering
when
if
together in from the next
room with one
show how
shoes on to
two ends came running
she could stick the
that tiresome Maisie beautiful
of her it
new bronze
looked.
Quick
Hilda had to hide her secret again. are you doing with the doll's house
as lightning
"
What
171
?