kes surprises, arrange the party to
be one if possible, but if she is like most mothers she will prefer to
know what's going on and so be prepared.

The rooms should be decorated with flowers of the season. The country
girl will find it easy in spring, summer, or fall.

During the afternoon a little program of previously arranged "mother"
songs, lullabies and readings by some of the guests may agreeably
interrupt the chat.

Tea, sandwiches and little cakes may be served in the dining-room
from a festive birthday table. The centerpiece may be a bowl of pink
roses--to match in number the years of the guest of honor. Candles
from under rose-colored paper or silk shades may light the room, and
if desired each guest may be presented with a miniature band-box
covered with rose-sprigged paper or chintz--filled with wee pink and
white candies.

A PUSSY CAT PARTY

When Billy's mother decided to give him a birthday party, she pounced
upon the pussy cat plan, partly because pussy-willows are still
flourishing in April, but mostly because she knew that kittens and
cats are favorites with nine and ten year olds.

The invitations were folded kitty-cornered and inside of each appeared
a fat fuzzy little gray puss taken from a real pussy-willow branch.
"Puss" had pen and ink ears, whiskers and tail, and likewise a tiny
red-painted fence post upon which to sit.

The first game was a good romp at "Puss-in-the-Corner." That was
followed by the foolish but funny "Poor Pussy."

While the children were still in a circle for that, Billy's mother
explained a new game. It was called "Kitty Kitty" and was carried
out on the lines of "Spin the Platter." In every child's ear Billy
whispered the name of some sort of cat, as for instance, tiger,
"yaller," green-eyes, double-toes, maltese, Angora, black and white,
gray.

He then occupied the center of the circle and spun a tin pieplate. As
he did so he called out one of the names he had assigned and counted
rapidly out loud up to ten. Thus, "Green-eyes, one, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten."

The child who had been given the name "green-eyes" was supposed to
jump up and snatch the pie tin before Billy had finished counting to
ten. If "green-eyes" failed, then he had to take Billy's place. Billy,
too, of course, had a pussy cat label.

Another circle game that was fun was called "Pussy's Prowlings." It
was on the order of stage-coach. Billy's mother told the