Reddy," remarked Linn.

"Oh, well, it's my party, so I have to be last," was the answer.

"Well," agreed Linn, "if that's so I'll have the ship."

"Oh, good," cried Toad, "that leaves the engine for me and I wanted it
more than anything else."

"This turtle makes better ice cream than he would soup," grinned Fat as
he took another spoonfull.

"I'm eating my rabbit's ears first," chirped Herbie.

"Well, I'm eating the smoke from my engine, first," Toad chimed in.

"Here's the cake, you'll have to cut it, Toad," Linn informed him, "for
it's bad luck to let any one else cut a birthday cake for you."

It was covered with white icing and ablaze with candles.

"Now watch the candles go out," and Toad gave a great puff. "All over,"
he declared, laughing, "now I'll cut the cake."

"There is a piece of silver in it, Thomas," said his mother, "and the
one who gets it will be the lucky one in life, and a thimble for the one
who is going to be a bachelor."

At this the boys urged Toad to hurry and when the cake had been cut and
passed around each boy looked his piece over carefully.

"Hurrah, I've got the money," shouted Hopie, holding up a bright dime so
all could see.

"And I've got the thimble," wailed Chuck. "Now I'll have to sew on all
my own buttons."

"Hopie's lucky all right; he won the money in the flour, too," observed
Herbie.

It was now growing late so the boys, much against their will, found
their hats and bade good-night to Father and Mother Brown.

"We've had a fine time, Toad," said Fat, "hope you have another birthday
next year."

"I'm very sorry to have to do it," announced Linn, grasping Toad and
turning him over his knee, "but you must have nine spanks and one for
good luck."

"Why didn't we think of it before?" agreed the others, helping to hold
Toad until each one had his turn.

"Well, I ought to be good for a year, now," laughed Toad, after he
managed to get away. "Wait 'till it's your turn, Linn, won't I give you
some good ones?"

"Good-night," responded Linn, "we've had a dandy time."

"You bet we have," echoed all the others.

"Good-bye, good-bye," called Chuck and Toad, standing in the doorway as
the boys disappeared in the darkness.

THE END

* * * * *

THE MERRYVALE GIRLS

By ALICE HALE BURNETT

Four delightful books for the smaller girls, each a complete story in
itself, describing in simple language the interesting experiences