indeed. And so, after a moment's thought, she replied:

"I'll take the present, thank you, Uncle Steve; for somehow I feel
sure we'll have picnics this summer, as we always do; and I don't
care much about a party, because I know so few children around
here."

"All right, then, Midget; a present it shall be, but with this
stipulation: you must promise not to go down into the south
orchard from now until next Thursday."

"Why not?" asked Mopsy, her eyes wide open with astonishment.

"Principally, because I tell you not to, and I want you to obey
me; but I don't mind explaining that it is because I shall be
there, at least part of the time, making your present; and as I
want it to be a surprise, you mustn't come peeping around."

"All right, Uncle Steve, I won't; but why do you make it down
there? Why not make it up here at the house?"

"Midget, your curiosity will some day get you into trouble. I
prefer to do the work in the meadow. Perhaps it is sewing, and I
shall take my work-basket and sit under the big maple-trees to
sew."

Marjorie laughed to think of Uncle Steve sewing, but was really
burning with curiosity to know what he was going to do.

However, she had given her word, and she conscientiously kept it.