sympathy, except Doctor Chocker, who did not hear a word, and
refused to smile till he knew what it was for. "Yes, we are all
neighbors. Doctor Chocker lives in Number Two; Mr. and Mrs. Manlius,
Mrs. Starkey, and Mr. Judge are from Number Three; my musical friends
live within easy call; and I live in Number Five."

Here she looked round again triumphantly, and found them all properly
astonished, and apparently very contented, except Doctor Chocker, who
was immovable. Nicholas expressed the most marked surprise, as became so
hypocritical a prime-minister, causing Mr. Manlius to make a private
note of some unrevealed perjury.

"Now," said Miss Pix, pausing and arresting the profound attention of
all, "now, who lives at Number Four?"

If she expected an answer, it was plainly not locked up in the breast of
any one before her. But she did not expect an answer; she was determined
to give that herself, and she continued:--

"There is a most excellent woman there, Mrs. Blake, whom I should have
liked very much to introduce to you to-night, especially as it is her
birthday. Isn't she fortunate to have been born on Christmas-eve? Well,
I didn't ask her, because she is not able to leave her room. There she
has sat, or lain, for fifteen years! She's a confirmed invalid; but she
can see her friends. And now for my little scheme. I want to give her a
surprise-party from all her neighbors, and I want to give it now. It's
all right. Gretchen has seen her maid, and Mrs. Blake knows just enough
to be willing to have me bring a few friends."

Miss Pix looked about, with a little anxiety peeping out of her
good-souled, eager face. But the company was so melted down that she
could now mould it at pleasure, and no opposition was made. Mr. Manlius
volunteered to enlighten Doctor Chocker; but he made so long a preamble
that the old scholar turned, with considerable impatience, to Miss Pix,
who soon put him in good-humor, and secured his cooperation, though not
without his indulging in some sinful and unneighborly remarks to
Nicholas.

It proved unnecessary to go into the court, for these two housed
happened to have a connection, which Miss Pix made use of, the door
having been left open all the evening, that Mrs. Blake might catch some
whiffs of the entertainment. Gretchen appeared in the doorway, bearing
on a salver a great cake, made with her own hands, having Mrs. Blake's
initials, in colored letters, on the frosting, and the whole