"Mrs. Shakespeare Smith would like to have Mr. John Brooke, Mr.Thomas Bangs, and Mr. Nathaniel Blake to come to her ball atthree o'clock today.

"P.S. Nat must bring his fiddle, so we can dance, and all the boysmust be good, or they cannot have any of the nice things we havecooked."

This elegant invitation would, I fear, have been declined, but forthe hint given in the last line of the postscript.

"They have been cooking lots of goodies, I smelt 'em. Let's go,"said Tommy.

"We needn't stay after the feast, you know," added Demi.

"I never went to a ball. What do you have to do?" asked Nat.

"Oh, we just play be men, and sit round stiff and stupid likegrown-up folks, and dance to please the girls. Then we eat upeverything, and come away as soon as we can."

"I think I could do that," said Nat, after considering Tommy'sdescription for a minute.

"I'll write and say we'll come;" and Demi despatched the followinggentlemanly reply,

"We will all come. Please have lots to eat. J. B. Esquire."

Great was the anxiety of the ladies about their first ball, because ifevery thing went well they intended to give a dinner-party to thechosen few.

"Aunt Jo likes to have the boys play with us, if they are not rough;so we must make them like our balls, then they will do themgood," said Daisy, with her maternal air, as she set the table andsurveyed the store of refreshments with an anxious eye.

"Demi and Nat will be good, but Tommy will do something bad, Iknow he will," replied Nan, shaking her head over the littlecake-basket which she was arranging.

"Then I shall send him right home," said Daisy, with decision.

"People don't do so at parties, it isn't proper."

"I shall never ask him any more."

"That would do. He'd be sorry not to come to the dinner-ball,wouldn't he?"

"I guess he would! we'll have the splendidest things ever seen,won't we? Real soup with a ladle and a tureem [she meant tureen]and a little bird for turkey, and gravy, and all kinds of nicevegytubbles." Daisy never could say vegetables properly, and hadgiven up trying.

"It is 'most three, and we ought to dress," said Nan, who hadarranged a fine costume for the occasion, and was anxious to wearit.

"I am the mother, so I shan't dress up much," said Daisy, putting ona night-cap ornamented with a red bow, one of her aunt's longskirts, and a shawl; a pair of spectacles and large pockethandkerchief completed her toilette, making a plump, rosy littlematron of her.

Nan had a wreath of artificial flowers, a pair of old pink slippers, ayellow scarf, a green muslin skirt, and a fan made of feathers fromthe duster; also, as a last touch of elegance, a smelling-bottlewithout any smell in it.

"I am the daughter, so I rig up a good deal, and I must sing anddance, and talk more than you do. The mothers only get the tea andbe proper, you know."

A sudden very loud knock caused Miss Smith to fly into a chair,and fan herself violently, while her mamma sat bolt upright on thesofa, and tried to look quite calm and "proper." Little Bess, whowas on a visit, acted the part of maid, and opened the door, sayingwith a smile, "Wart in, gemplemun; it's all weady."

In honor of the occasion, the boys wore high paper collars, tallblack hats, and gloves of every color and material, for they were anafterthought, and not a boy among them had a perfect pair.

"Good day, mum," said Demi, in a deep voice, which was so hardto keep up that his remarks had to be extremely brief.

Every one shook hands and then sat down, looking so funny, yet sosober, that the gentlemen forgot their manners, and rolled in theirchairs with laughter.

"Oh, don't!" cried Mrs. Smith, much distressed.

"You can't ever come again if you act so," added Miss Smith,rapping Mr. Bangs with her bottle because he laughed loudest.

"I can't help it, you look so like fury," gasped Mr. Bangs, with mostuncourteous candor.

"So do you, but I shouldn't be so rude as to say so. He shan't cometo the dinner-ball, shall he, Daisy?" cried Nan, indignantly.

"I think we had better dance now. Did you bring your fiddle, sir?"asked Mrs. Smith, trying to preserve her polite composure.

"It is outside the door," and Nat went to get it.

"Better have tea first," proposed the unabashed Tommy, winkingopenly at Demi to remind him that the sooner the refreshmentswere secured, the sooner they could escape.

"No, we never have supper first; and if you don't dance well youwon't have any supper at all, not one bit, sir," said Mrs. Smith, sosternly that her wild guests saw she was not to be trifled with, andgrew overwhelmingly civil all at once.

"I will take Mr. Bangs and teach him the polka, for he does notknow it fit to be seen," added the hostess, with a reproachful lookthat sobered Tommy at once.

Nat struck up, and the ball opened with two couples, who wentconscientiously through a somewhat varied dance. The ladies didwell, because they liked it, but the gentlemen exerted themselvesfrom more selfish motives, for each felt that he must earn hissupper, and labored manfully toward that end. When every onewas out of breath they were allowed to rest; and, indeed, poor Mrs.Smith needed it, for her long dress had tripped her up many times.The little maid passed round molasses and water in such smallcups that one guest actually emptied nine. I refrain frommentioning his name, because this mild beverage affected him somuch that he put cup and all into his mouth at the ninth round, andchoked himself publicly.

"You must ask Nan to play and sing now," said Daisy to herbrother, who sat looking very much like an owl, as he gravelyregarded the festive scene between his high collars.

"Give us a song, mum," said the obedient guest, secretlywondering where the piano was.

Miss Smith sailed up to an old secretary which stood in the room,threw back the lid of the writing-desk, and sitting down before it,accompanied herself with a vigor which made the old desk rattleas she sang that new and lovely song, beginning

"Gaily the troubadour

Touched his guitar,

As he was hastening

Home from the war."

The gentlemen applauded so enthusiastically that she gave them"Bounding Billows," "Little Bo-Peep," and other gems of song, tillthey were obliged to hint that they had had enough. Grateful forthe praises bestowed upon her daughter, Mrs. Smith graciouslyannounced,

"Now we will have tea. Sit down carefully, and don't grab."

It was beautiful to see the air of pride with which the good lady didthe honors of her table, and the calmness with which she bore thelittle mishaps that occurred. The best pie flew wildly on the floorwhen she tried to cut it with a very dull knife; the bread and buttervanished with a rapidity calculated to dismay a housekeeper's soul;and, worst of all, the custards were so soft that they had to bedrunk up, instead of being eaten elegantly with the new tin spoons.

I grieve to state that Miss Smith squabbled with the maid for thebest jumble, which caused Bess to toss the whole dish into the air,and burst out crying amid a rain of falling cakes. She wascomforted by a seat at the table, and the sugar-bowl to empty; butduring this flurry a large plate of patties was mysteriously lost, andcould not be found. They were the chief ornament of the feast, andMrs. Smith was indignant at the loss, for she had made themherself, and they were beautiful to behold. I put it to any lady if itwas not hard to have one dozen delicious patties (made of flour,salt, and water, with a large raisin in the middle of each, and muchsugar over the whole) swept away at one fell swoop?

"You hid them, Tommy; I know you did!" cried the outragedhostess, threatening her suspected guest with the milk-pot.

"I didn't!"

"You did!"

"It isn't proper to contradict," said Nan, who was hastily eating upthe jelly during the fray.

"Give them back, Demi," said Tommy.

"That's a fib, you've got them in your own pocket," bawled Demi,roused by the false accusation.

"Let's take 'em away from him. It's too bad to make Daisy cry,"suggested Nat, who found his first ball more exciting than heexpected.

Daisy was already weeping, Bess like a devoted servant mingledher tears with those of her mistress, and Nan denounced the entirerace of boys as "plaguey things." Meanwhile the battle ragedamong the gentlemen, for, when the two defenders of innocencefell upon the foe, that hardened youth intrenched himself behind atable and pelted them with the stolen tarts, which were veryeffective missiles, being nearly as hard as bullets. While hisammunition held out the besieged prospered, but the moment thelast patty flew over the parapet, the villain was seized, draggedhowling from the room, and cast upon the hall floor in anignominious heap. The conquerors then returned flushed withvictory, and while Demi consoled poor Mrs. Smith, Nat and Nancollected the scattered tarts, replaced each raisin in its proper bed,and rearranged the dish so that it really looked almost as well asever. But their glory had departed, for the sugar was gone, and noone cared to eat them after the insult offered to them.

"I guess we had better go," said Demi, suddenly, as Aunt Jo's voicewas heard on the stairs.

"P'r'aps we had," and Nat hastily dropped a stray jumble that hehad just picked up.

But Mrs. Jo was among them before the retreat was accomplished,and into her sympathetic ear the young ladies poured the story oftheir woes.

"No more balls for these boys till they have atoned for this badbehavior by doing something kind to you," said Mrs. Jo, shakingher head at the three culprits.

"We were only in fun," began Demi.

"I don't like fun that makes other people unhappy. I amdisappointed in you, Demi, for I hoped you would never learn totease Daisy. Such a kind little sister as she is to you."

"Boys always tease their sisters; Tom says so," muttered Demi.

"I don't intend that my boys shall, and I must send Daisy home ifyou cannot play happily together," said Aunt Jo, soberly.

At this awful threat, Demi sidled up to his sister, and Daisy hastilydried her tears, for to be separated was the worst misfortune thatcould happen to the twins.

"Nat was bad, too, and Tommy was baddest of all," observed Nan,fearing that two of the sinners would not get their fair share ofpunishment.

"I am sorry," said Nat, much ashamed.

"I ain't!" bawled Tommy through the keyhole, where he waslistening with all his might.

Mrs. Jo wanted very much to laugh, but kept her countenance, andsaid impressively, as she pointed to the door,

"You can go, boys, but remember, you are not to speak to or playwith the little girls till I give you leave. You don't deserve thepleasure, so I forbid it."

The ill-mannered young gentlemen hastily retired, to be receivedoutside with derision and scorn by the unrepentant Bangs, whowould not associate with them for at least fifteen minutes. Daisywas soon consoled for the failure of her ball, but lamented theedict that parted her from her brother, and mourned over hisshort-comings in her tender little heart. Nan rather enjoyed thetrouble, and went about turning up her pug nose at the three,especially Tommy, who pretended not to care, and loudlyproclaimed his satisfaction at being rid of those "stupid girls." Butin his secret soul he soon repented of the rash act that caused thisbanishment from the society he loved, and every hour ofseparation taught him the value of the "stupid girls."

The others gave in very soon, and longed to be friends, for nowthere was no Daisy to pet and cook for them; no Nan to amuse anddoctor them; and, worst of all, no Mrs. Jo to make home lifepleasant and life easy for them. To their great affliction, Mrs. Joseemed to consider herself one of the offended girls, for she hardlyspoke to the outcasts, looked as if she did not see them when shepassed, and was always too busy now to attend to their requests.This sudden and entire exile from favor cast a gloom over theirsouls, for when Mother Bhaer deserted them, their sun had set atnoon-day, as it were, and they had no refuge left.

This unnatural state of things actually lasted for three days, thenthey could bear it no longer, and fearing that the eclipse mightbecome total, went to Mr. Bhaer for help and counsel.

It is my private opinion that he had received instructions how tobehave if the case should be laid before him. But no one suspectedit, and he gave the afflicted boys some advice, which theygratefully accepted and carried out in the following manner:

Secluding themselves in the garret, they devoted severalplay-hours to the manufacture of some mysterious machine, whichtook so much paste that Asia grumbled, and the little girlswondered mightily. Nan nearly got her inquisitive nose pinched inthe door, trying to see what was going on, and Daisy sat about,openly lamenting that they could not all play nicely together, andnot have any dreadful secrets. Wednesday afternoon was fine, andafter a good deal of consultation about wind and weather, Nat andTommy went off, bearing an immense flat parcel hidden undermany newspapers. Nan nearly died with suppressed curiosity,Daisy nearly cried with vexation, and both quite trembled withinterest when Demi marched into Mrs. Bhaer's room, hat in hand,and said, in the politest tone possible to a mortal boy of his years,

"Please, Aunt Jo, would you and the girls come out to a surpriseparty we have made for you? Do it's a very nice one."

"Thank you, we will come with pleasure; only, I must take Teddywith me," replied Mrs. Bhaer, with a smile that cheered Demi likesunshine after rain.

"We'd like to have him. The little wagon is all ready for the girls;you won't mind walking just up to Pennyroyal Hill, will youAunty?"

"I should like it exceedingly; but are you quite sure I shall not be inthe way?"

"Oh, no, indeed! we want you very much; and the party will bespoilt if you don't come," cried Demi, with great earnestness.

"Thank you kindly, sir;" and Aunt Jo made him a grand curtsey, forshe liked frolics as well as any of them.

"Now, young ladies, we must not keep them waiting; on with thehats, and let us be off at once. I'm all impatience to know what thesurprise is."

As Mrs. Bhaer spoke every one bustled about, and in five minutesthe three little girls and Teddy were packed into the"clothes-basket," as they called the wicker wagon which Tobydrew. Demi walked at the head of the procession, and Mrs. Jobrought up the rear, escorted by Kit. It was a most imposing party,I assure you, for Toby had a red feather-duster in his head, tworemarkable flags waved over the carriage, Kit had a blue bow onhis neck, which nearly drove him wild, Demi wore a nosegay ofdandelions in his buttonhole, and Mrs. Jo carried the queerJapanese umbrella in honor of the occasion.

The girls had little flutters of excitement all the way; and Teddywas so charmed with the drive that he kept dropping his hatoverboard, and when it was taken from him he prepared to tumbleout himself, evidently feeling that it behooved him to dosomething for the amusement of the party.

When they came to the hill "nothing was to be seen but the grassblowing in the wind," as the fairy books say, and the childrenlooked disappointed. But Demi said, in his most impressivemanner,

"Now, you all get out and stand still, and the surprise party withcome in;" with which remark he retired behind a rock, over whichheads had been bobbing at intervals for the last half-hour.

A short pause of intense suspense, and then Nat, Demi, andTommy marched forth, each bearing a new kite, which theypresented to the three young ladies. Shrieks of delight arose, butwere silenced by the boys, who said, with faces brimful ofmerriment, "That isn't all the surprise;" and, running behind therock, again emerged bearing a fourth kite of superb size, on whichwas printed, in bright yellow letters, "For Mother Bhaer."

"We thought you'd like one, too, because you were angry with us,and took the girls' part," cried all three, shaking with laughter, forthis part of the affair evidently was a surprise to Mrs. Jo.

She clapped her hands, and joined in the laugh, looking thoroughlytickled at the joke.

"Now, boys, that is regularly splendid! Who did think of it?" sheasked, receiving the monster kite with as much pleasure as thelittle girls did theirs.

"Uncle Fritz proposed it when we planned to make the others; hesaid you'd like it, so we made a bouncer," answered Demi,beaming with satisfaction at the success of the plot.

"Uncle Fritz knows what I like. Yes, these are magnificent kites,and we were wishing we had some the other day when you wereflying yours, weren't we, girls?"

"That's why we made them for you," cried Tommy, standing on hishead as the most appropriate way of expressing his emotions.

"Let us fly them," said energetic Nan.

"I don't know how," began Daisy.

"We'll show you, we want to!" cried all the boys in a burst ofdevotion, as Demi took Daisy's, Tommy Nan's, and Nat, withdifficulty, persuaded Bess to let go her little blue one.

"Aunty, if you will wait a minute, we'll pitch yours for you," saidDemi, feeling that Mrs. Bhaer's favor must not be lost again by anyneglect of theirs.

"Bless your buttons, dear, I know all about it; and here is a boywho will toss up for me," added Mrs. Jo, as the professor peepedover the rock with a face full of fun.

He came out at once, tossed up the big kite, and Mrs. Jo ran offwith it in fine style, while the children stood and enjoyed thespectacle. One by one all the kites went up, and floated faroverhead like gay birds, balancing themselves on the fresh breezethat blew steadily over the hill. Such a merry time as they had!running and shouting, sending up the kites or pulling them down,watching their antics in the air, and feeling them tug at the stringlike live creatures trying to escape. Nan was quite wild with thefun, Daisy thought the new play nearly as interesting as dolls, andlittle Bess was so fond of her "boo tite," that she would only let itgo on very short flights, preferring to hold it in her lap and look atthe remarkable pictures painted on it by Tommy's dashing brush.Mrs. Jo enjoyed hers immensely, and it acted as if it knew whoowned it, for it came tumbling down head first when leastexpected, caught on trees, nearly pitched into the river, and finallydarted away to such a height that it looked a mere speck among theclouds.

By and by every one got tired, and fastening the kite-strings totrees and fences, all sat down to rest, except Mr. Bhaer, who wentoff to look at the cows, with Teddy on his shoulder.

"Did you ever have such a good time as this before?" asked Nat, asthey lay about on the grass, nibbling pennyroyal like a flock ofsheep.

"Not since I last flew a kite, years ago, when I was a girl,"answered Mrs. Jo.

"I'd like to have known you when you were a girl, you must havebeen so jolly," said Nat.

"I was a naughty little girl, I am sorry to say."

"I like naughty little girls," observed Tommy, looking at Nan, whomade a frightful grimace at him in return for the compliment.

"Why don't I remember you then, Aunty? Was I too young?" askedDemi.

"Rather, dear."

"I suppose my memory hadn't come then. Grandpa says thatdifferent parts of the mind unfold as we grow up, and the memorypart of my mind hadn't unfolded when you were little, so I can'tremember how you looked," explained Demi.

"Now, little Socrates, you had better keep that question forgrandpa, it is beyond me," said Aunt Jo, putting on theextinguisher.

"Well, I will, he knows about those things, and you don't," returnedDemi, feeling that on the whole kites were better adapted to thecomprehension of the present company.

"Tell about the last time you flew a kite," said Nat, for Mrs. Jo hadlaughed as she spoke of it, and he thought it might be interesting.

"Oh, it was only rather funny, for I was a great girl of fifteen, andwas ashamed to be seen at such a play. So Uncle Teddy and Iprivately made our kites, and stole away to fly them. We had acapital time, and were resting as we are now, when suddenly weheard voices, and saw a party of young ladies and gentlemencoming back from a picnic. Teddy did not mind, though he wasrather a large boy to be playing with a kite, but I was in a greatflurry, for I knew I should be sadly laughed at, and never hear thelast of it, because my wild ways amused the neighbors as much asNan's do us.

"'What shall I do?' I whispered to Teddy, as the voices drew nearerand nearer.

"'I'll show you,' he said, and whipping out his knife he cut thestrings. Away flew the kites, and when the people came up wewere picking flowers as properly as you please. They neversuspected us, and we had a grand laugh over our narrow escape."

"Were the kites lost, Aunty?" asked Daisy.

"Quite lost, but I did not care, for I made up my mind that it wouldbe best to wait till I was an old lady before I played with kitesagain; and you see I have waited," said Mrs. Jo, beginning to pullin the big kite, for it was getting late.

"Must we go now?"

"I must, or you won't have any supper; and that sort of surpriseparty would not suit you, I think, my chickens."

"Hasn't our party been a nice one?" asked Tommy, complacently.

"Splendid!" answered every one.

"Do you know why? It is because your guests have behavedthemselves, and tried to make everything go well. You understandwhat I mean, don't you?"

"Yes'm," was all the boys said, but they stole a shamefaced look atone another, as they meekly shouldered their kites and walkedhome, thinking of another party where the guests had not behavedthemselves, and things had gone badly on account of it.