that he had not a
single penny about his person, he plunged his hands deeply in his
pockets, as if to prevent any inroad upon his wealth.

" It isn't anything of the kind," replied Aggie, indignantly, her face
flushing with something very nearly resembling anger until her numerous
freckles stood out quite prominently. Aggie had a large supply of
freckles, as even a very near-sighted person could see. "We are going
to have just as many boys as girls, and no one is obliged to come. But
if any boy is willing to pay ten cents' towards helping Aunt Betsey, he
buys a necktie, and the girls each buy an apron. Either one will be
worth the ten cents, so it hasn't anything to do with begging."

"But what do you have these things to sell for? Why not let each one
give ten cents for .
going to the party?" asked Winny Curtis, in a tone that was very nearly
a squeak, so shrill and peculiar was his voice.

"That's the fun of it," replied Aggie, triumphantly. "After we girls
have made the neckties
and aprons, mother will wrap each one in paper, so that no one can tell
which is which. Then when a boy buys one of the packages, he sees what
color of necktie he has got, and he hunts for the girl that has an
apron like it. He must go in to supper with that girl, and walk home
with her after the party is over."

"Are you goin' to have a supper? " squeaked Winny.

" Yes, mother says she will get a nice one for us, and that will be the
only party I am to have this winter."