Then Aggie understood from Si's face that he was growing more and more
opposed to the
plan, and as her freckles came prominently into view again, she said,
with a show of dignity that even Deacon Littlefield might have been
proud of, as she started down the street: " Come, girls, let's go home,
so that we can get over to Maria's house early. We'll have the party,
and we'll each buy an apron."

Then Aggie walked away, followed by the girls, each one trying to
appear as if perfectly
indifferent whether any of the boys came to the party; but all thinking
that it would be a
very tame affair if no one but Winny was present.

On this particular year there had been but little to amuse the school
children of Orland;
therefore the girls, if not the boys, had hailed Aggie's scheme with
delight. None of the girls had openly expressed any opinion as to the
advisability of having the party for the double purpose of enjoying
themselves and helping aunt Betsey; but it was easy to tell from their
faces that the plan had their unqualified approval.

Winny looked around him' as the girls walked away. He had but just
begun to understand that he was the only boy who had agreed to attend
the party, and it was by no means pleasant to be in opposition to Si
Kelly, who had a most disagreeable way of making sport of anyone who
did not agree with him. Nothing but the thought that he could have a
perfect feast of cake would have caused him to forget, even for an
instant, that the self-appointed leader of the boys had not approved of