"Inclosed find a subscription blank. Make all checks payable to 'Blue
Birds of Happy Times Nest.'"

"Wish we had time to run over to the Bobolinks and order fifty thousand
of these letters," suggested Dot.

"Oh, wouldn't it be fun to see their faces!" laughed Norma.

"Maybe we will have time--it is only five minutes to nine," announced
Mrs. Talmage, looking at her watch.

"We can try it--we will walk down the path, and if we find they are
leaving we can keep our own council until another night," said Mrs.
Talmage, as everyone rose hurriedly to go.

The children hurried on before, while the ladies followed more sedately.

The heavy doors were closed, but an opening about a foot wide left space
enough for Ruth to squeeze through and pull one of the sliding doors
along the groove to admit the other visitors.

The men had been lounging about, talking and watching their sons work,
but upon the entrance of the ladies everyone arose in surprise.

"Rather a late hour for a call, dear," ventured Mr. Stevens.

"Oh, not at all. We were attending a business meeting, and found it
necessary to leave an order with the Bobolinks."

"An order--what kind of an order?" questioned Ned dubiously.

Mrs. Talmage handed over the copy of the letter she wanted printed, and
directed the company to get out a proof as soon as possible, for they
would need about fifty thousand.

"Fifty thousand!" gasped the boys, while the men looked incredulous.

The Blue Birds could not restrain a giggle at the utter amazement of the
Bobolinks, and the ladies thoroughly enjoyed their husbands' surprise.

"Oh, well, I suppose it will take you a long time to run off so many, so
you may do ten thousand at a time," said Mrs. Talmage.

The Bobolinks could find no words with which to reply, and the men
seemed to have lost their tongues also. While Mrs. Talmage waited for an
answer, Don scowled at his twin sister.

"I am still waiting to hear you accept the order," smiled Mrs. Talmage,
feeling that the Blue Birds had scored a point.

"Maybe you are not yet ready to do business," suggested Mrs. Wells, with
just a touch of sarcasm.

"Of course we are ready!" exclaimed several boys, faintly echoed by the
men.

"Then tell us how long will it be before you can show us a proof?" asked
Mrs. Talmage.

"H'm! We will have to consult," replied Ned, as he beckoned some of the
Bobolinks to the rear of the room.

The Blue Birds were so delighted at catching