rents knew best what was good for her, and she was willing in all
things to obey them. It was for this reason that they were so
anxious to please her, even at the expense of a great deal of time
and money.
The birthday of Flora came on Wednesday, and school did not keep in
the afternoon. All the children, therefore, could attend the party
which they intended to give in honor of the day.
About a week before the time, Mrs. Lee told Flora she might have
the party, and wanted her to make out a list of all the children
whom she wished to invite.
"I want to ask all the children in Riverdale," said Flora,
promptly.
"Not all, I think," replied Mrs. Lee.
"Yes, mother, all of them."
"But you know there are a great many bad boys in town. Do you wish
to invite them?"
"Perhaps, if we treat them well, they will be made better by it."
"Would you like to have Joe Birch come to the party?"
"I don't know, mother," said Flora, musing.
"I think you had better invite only those who will enjoy the party,
and who will not be likely to spoil the pleasure of others. We
will not invite such boys as Joe Birch."
"Just as you think best, dear mother," replied Flora. "Shall I ask
such boys as Tommy Woggs?"
"Tommy isn't a bad boy," said Mrs. Lee, with a smile.
"I don't know that he is; but he is a very queer fellow. You said I
had better not ask those who would be likely to spoil the pleasure
of others."
"Do you think, my child, Tommy Woggs will do so?"
"I am afraid he would; he is such a queer boy."
"But Tommy is a great traveler, you know," added Mrs. Lee,
laughing.
"The boys and girls don't like him, he pretends to be such a big
man. He knows more than all the rest of the world put together--at
least, he thinks he does."
"I think you had better ask him, for he will probably feel slighted
if you don't."
"Very well, mother."
"Now, Flora, I will take a pencil and paper, and write down the
names of all the boys and girls with whom you are acquainted; and
you must be careful not to forget any. Here comes Frank; he will
help you."
Frank was told about the party, and he was quite as much pleased
with the idea as his sister had been; and both of them began to
repeat the name of all the boys and girls they could remember.
For half an hour they were employed in this manner, and then the
list was read over to them, so as to be sure that no names had been
omitted.
Flora and Frank now went through all th
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