have a dozen other charming devices which I will give
you later as surprises."

"If I were half as sure of my part as I am of yours, dear Fairy
Godmother, we should have nothing to fear. I have a general plan
mapped out for the stories, but a great deal of the work will have to
be done from week to week, as I go on. I shall use the same programme
in the main for both groups, but I shall simplify everything and
illustrate more freely for the little ones, telling the historical and
scientific stories with much more detail to the older group. This is
what Mr. Bird calls my 'basic idea,' which will be filled out from week
to week according to inspiration. For November, I shall make autumn,
the harvest, and Thanksgiving the starting-point. I am all ready with
my historical story of 'The First Thanksgiving,' for I told it at the
Children's Hospital last year, and it went beautifully.

"I have one doll dressed in Dutch costume, to show how the children
looked that the little Pilgrims played with in Holland; and another
dressed like a Puritan maiden, to show them the simple old New England
gown. Then I have two fine pictures of Miles Standish and the Indian
chief Massasoit.

"For December and January I shall have Christmas and winter, and frost
and ice and snow, with the contrasts of eastern and Californian
climates."

"I can get the Immigration Bureau to give you a percentage on that
story, Polly," said Uncle Jack Bird, who had strolled in and taken a
seat. "Just make your facts strong enough, and you can make a handsome
thing out of that idea."

"Don't interrupt us, Jack," said Mrs. Bird; "and go directly out, if
you please. You were not asked to this party."

"Where was I?" continued Polly. "Oh yes,--the contrast between
Californian and eastern winters; and January will have a moral story or
two, you know,--New Year's resolutions, and all that. February will be
full of sentiment and patriotism,--St. Valentine's Day and Washington's
Birthday,--I can hardly wait for that, there are so many lovely things
to do in that month. March will bring in the first hint of spring.
The winds will serve for my science story; and as it chances to be a
presidential year, we will celebrate Inauguration Day, and have some
history, if a good many subscribers come in."

"Why do you say 'if,' Polly? Multitudes of names are coming in. I
have told you so from the beginning."

"Very well, then; when a sufficient number of name