Rose,
With a pug nose!"
chanted Genie, with the amiable intention of teasing her sister beyond endurance.
And she did, for Dotty flung back:
"Genie, Genie,
You're a meany!"
and then she grabbed her and pulled her off the pillows and pushed her out of the room and locked the door.
"It's a shame!" and poor Dotty nearly cried to see the havoc naughty little Genie had wrought. One pillow cover was torn and another had a black mark from the sole of Genie's slipper.
She heard a tap at the door, and her mother's voice said, "Let me in, Dotty, dear."
Dotty opened the door, and exclaimed: "Mother! Isn't Genie the bad little thing! Look at my pretty pillows!"
"Oh, what a shame! Why do you two children quarrel so?"
"We didn't quarrel. Genie did it on purpose."
"But why can't you be loving, kind little sisters? You're always teasing each other."
"But I didn't tease her, Mother."
"Well, you usually do. Now, Dotty, can't you make a birthday resolution to be more patient with Genie? Remember she's only a little girl, while you're getting grown up. Fifteen is almost a young lady, and you should be kind and gentle with everybody."
"I s'pose I ought," and Dorothy sighed; "but it's hard to have my birthday things upset. Aren't you going to punish her, Mother?"
"Oh, no; she didn't mean to be naughty. She was only mischievous. I'll mend your pillow, and the soiled one can be laundered."
Dotty's anger was always quick to come and quick to go, and she smiled brightly, as she said, "all right. I'll forgive her this time, but she's got to stop that kind of teasing."
"I'll speak to her," said easy-going Mrs. Rose; "how do you like Dolly's picture?"
"Lovely, isn't it? Did you and Mrs. Fayre know about the frames?"
"Yes; and we wanted them to be alike; but I had to urge you to take this instead of that other pattern. Remember?"
"Yes, indeed," and Dotty smiled to think how determined she had been in the matter, but had at last yielded to her mother's judgment.
"Oh, there's Dolly!" she cried, as she saw the shade go up in the opposite window. "Hello. Happy Birthday!" she called out.
Dolly returned the greeting, and the two girls waved their respective photographs at each other, and then both began to get dressed.
Dolly, too, had a morning visit from her sister.
Trudy looked in on her way down to breakfast.
"Happy Birthday, Doll!" she said; "shall I tie your hair-ribbon?"
She stepped into the new room, and while tying the big bow, looked around admiringly.
"You're a lucky little kiddy to have such a lovely room. It's prettier than mine."
"I know it is, Trudy," and Dolly looked regretful. "I'll change with you, if you like. I think as you're the oldest you ought to have the prettiest room."
"Not at all, you little goosy!" and Trudy kissed the troubled face. "This is your fifteenth birthday, and I'm glad you have such a beautiful gift to remember it by."
With their arms around each other, the two girls went downstairs.
"Whoop-de-doo! Dollykins," cried her father, throwing down his paper; "why, you don't look a bit different from when you were fourteen! I thought you'd be a foot taller, at least!"
"I don't feel any taller or any older, Father; and I don't s'pose I'll act so. But Mumsie, mayn't I stop wearing hair-ribbons? Dotty's going to."
"Are you sure?" and Mrs. Fayre looked quizzical, for she had discussed this weighty matter with Mrs. Rose.
"No, not sure; but Dotty's going to ask her mother and she thinks she can make her say yes."
"Well, let's wait and see what Mrs. Rose does say," and Mrs. Fayre took her place at the breakfast table.
"It seems funny not to have a lot of presents at your place, Doll," said Trudy, smiling.
"That's all right," and Dolly returned the smile; "I agreed that my room fixings were to take the place of all other presents."
"And then you have the party, you know," said her father. "Mr. Rose has a delightful surprise for it, and when I come home this afternoon I'll bring something to add to the gaiety of nations."
"Oh, Father, what?"
"Never you mind, curiosity-box! You'll see soon enough."
"Will you come home early, Father?"
"As early as I can. By five, surely."
After breakfast, the two heroines of the occasion went out to their respective side verandahs, and the usual morning programme was carried out.
Each frantically waved her hand to the other, calling, "Come over!"
Then each vigorously shook her head, shouting: "No, you come over here!"
"No, you!"
"No, you!"
Then Dolly, coaxingly, "Aw, come on,—come on over."
Then Dotty, positively, "No, sir! it's your turn. Come on over here."
With slight variations this dialogue was repeated every morning. Not that either cared much which went to the other's house, but it was one of their habits. Perhaps Dolly oftenest gave in, and on this birthday morning, the colloquy was short before she ran across the grass and the two friends sat in the Roses' hammock, swinging vigorously as they talked.
"How'd you like my present to you?" asked Dotty, with twinkling eyes.
"Lovely!" and Dolly smiled back. "How'd you like mine to you?"
"Beautiful! Truly, Dollyrinda, I'm awful glad to have that picture of you."
"So am I of you. Did you get any plate presents?"
"No; I didn't expect any. All the family gave me things for my room, you know. Bob sent me a dear little clock."
"How nice; Bert sent me a pair of candlesticks,—glass ones,—they're awfully pretty."
"Isn't it funny we don't know each other's brothers."
"We will soon, though. Bert is coming home in about two weeks."
"Yes, so is Bob. As soon as school closes. Oh, here come the men to put up the tent! Let's go and watch them."
Dolly had been allowed to stay at home from school for the day, and the two girls, followed by Genie, ran out on the lawn to see what was going on.
In order to make the party a truly joint affair, it had been decided to set up a tent on the lawn exactly midway between the two houses, for the party supper. It was a large tent, and gay with red trimmings and flags. Inside, tables were set up, and the maids from both houses brought out plates and glasses in abundance.
"Oh, isn't it just grand!" exclaimed Dotty, seizing Dolly round the waist and making her dance about the lawn.
"Lovely; but don't rumple me so, Dotty! This is a clean frock."
"Oh, what an old fuss you are! Always thinking about your clothes!"
"I am not, any such thing! But what's the use of spoiling a clean dress the minute you put it on?"
"All right, I'll keep away from you, if you're so afraid I'll muss you up! Proudy!"
For some unknown reason, this epithet was the most scathing in the girls' vocabulary, and either was quick to resent it.
"I