t
at her feet dropped a little white caterpillar. He was so
frightened that he curled himself up into a ball and lay very
still. He made Big Mary laugh, but Freckle Frog had a bright
idea.

[Illustration]

"Oh what a splendid muff you would make!" she cried. "Would you
mind if I wear you to the party just this once?"

The poor little caterpillar uncurled himself.

"If you will promise to take care of me and not let Robin
Redbreast eat me," he answered, "I shall be only too glad to be
your muff."

So Freckle Frog went to the party and wore the cobweb lace, and
carried the mushroom parasol, and held the soft little white
caterpillar for a muff. She even bought a sweet-pea bonnet to
please the Morning Glory Ladies.

Then Robin Redbreast said she looked better than anybody else at
his party, and Big Mary, who was well enough by that time to go
also, said so, too.

[Illustration]

Now Robin Redbreast, as you must know, always had his parties
just at twilight. He himself was always in better voice then,
he said, and so he felt sure that Billy Bullfrog and all the
other singers must be, too. Then the world was lovelier at that
time than it was through the long, hot day, when sensible people
like birds and frogs, and sometimes even babies and dolls, took
naps and did not stir out at all. At twilight one could always
depend upon the sky to grow very soft and pink, and the fairies
never failed to hang the leaves with dewdrops, all to make his
parties beautiful! The cherries tasted better then, too, and
later still, when it began to grow dark, the katy-dids would play
if any one cared to dance. So Robin Redbreast always gave
beautiful parties, but even he had never given so beautiful a one
before.

Little Freckle Frog was very happy. Every one admired her
beautiful lace, and she told them all how kind Little Black
Spider had been. And by and by, when it came to be time for
refreshments, she ate a whole cherry. She never had tasted one
before, but as she told Mr. Sparrow, who had brought it to her,
she really never had dreamed how delicious a big red cherry could
be. Then, when the katy-dids began to play, she danced with her
cousin, Billy Bullfrog, until it was time to go home.

[Illustration]

There was only one thing that troubled her, and that was that the
Morning Glory Ladies were still angry with her. For Little
Freckle Frog wanted to be friendly with everybody.

But at last another idea came into her hea