Princess Polly in crisp print, with yellow primroses on a white ground, a pale green kerchief, and yellow ribbons in her hair, was fair, and lovely to look upon.
Rob Lindsey in brown homespun with a yellow vest, walked beside her, looking very like a lad of the olden time.
Lena Lindsey, in a green and white striped gown, a wreath of white roses and green leaves in her hair, with Leslie Grafton in scarlet linen with white lace frills at her neck, and in her sleeves, were two quaint la.s.sies, and Harry Grafton in gray linen with huge white collar, and gaily flowered tie, made a trio that delighted Aunt Judith.
She had asked Rose to come as a guest, instead of standing with her to receive.
She had wished to see dear little Rose Atherton among her other guests, simply because she thus could see her more in the same way that she saw the other children, and she wanted to judge if she looked like that other little Rose Atherton who once had worn that same gown.
Uncle John knew that it was to be a children"s party, but he decided to accept Aunt Judith"s invitation to be present, and enjoy their pleasure with her.
Shouts of laughter greeted his costume! Knee breeches of yellow linen, a waistcoat of white linen damask, with lace frills on his bosom and at his wrists, together with a coat of flowered striped material, made him look like some old portrait suddenly alive.
Rose close beside him, in the pretty frock that Aunt Judith had loaned her, clung to his right arm as they entered together, little Sprite Seaford on his left.
Her gown was one that her great grand aunt had once worn, and it was most becoming. Uncle John Atherton had especially asked her to go to the party with Rose and himself. Her yellow hair was braided in two long braids and crowned with a muslin cap. Her frock was blue, with white blossoms upon it, and from its belt hung a steel bead bag that held her handkerchief.
Gwen was not invited.
Aunt Judith detested her rude ways, and she would not choose a guest who might spoil a pleasant evening by her bad behavior.
A young friend of Uncle John"s arrived a bit late, and surely his costume was the most unusual of any of the guests. Captain Atherton had seen the little suit in an antique shop in England. He had purchased it, believing that some such occasion as the present might occur, when the droll coat and trousers, the little waistcoat, and the comical cap would be just the thing for a slender lad to wear. Walter Langdon was indeed a quaint figure, as, with Captain Atherton, he went forward to greet Aunt Judith, and be introduced to the other guests.
His coat, a funny little "swallow tail," was of yellow green, his trousers matched it, his waistcoat, or vest, was striped, lilac and white, and his cap, green like the suit, had a long ta.s.sel hanging down on one side. His fair hair, in a soft bang, showed below the edge of his cap, and his eyes, wide open and merry, appeared to be just ready for a gay laugh.
He knew that he looked absolutely comical, and he thought it great fun to appear at the party in a costume that provoked laughter. He proved to be a bright, cheery boy, full of fun, and wit, and soon the other boys and girls felt as if they had always known him.
Uncle John wore a costume that had belonged to his great, great uncle, and he looked very handsome in it. He made them all laugh by saying that he wished that his ancestor had been just a wee bit larger, because then the suit would have been somewhat easier, instead of such a _close fit_.
But while he seemed pleased with all of his new friends, it was Rose Atherton whom Walter liked best of all.
"And now," said Aunt Judith, "I"ve tried to make this party a truly old-fashioned one, and what do you say to playing some very old-fashioned games?"
"Oh, yes, yes!" they cried. "What shall we play first?"
"Blind Man"s Buff," cried Uncle John, "and I"ll blind first. Here, Rose! Tie this handkerchief over my eyes!"
Rose tied the handkerchief, and then the fun began.
"He"s peeking!" cried Walter, "so he can be sure to catch Rose."
"I"m not peeking. Honest _Injun_!" declared Uncle John, exactly as he had heard the boys say it.
"Catch _me_!" cried Leslie, at the same time dodging him, and he grasped empty air.
"And _me_!" cried Lena, just behind him, springing past him as he turned.
Sprite made no sound as she tried to pa.s.s him, but was just a bit too slow, and he caught her.
"Ah, I know who I"ve found!" he cried, "because no other little girl but Sprite has such long, silken braids."
He lifted the handkerchief, and laughed to see her blushing cheeks.
It was now Sprite"s turn. Slowly she advanced, her pretty hands outstretched, and oddly enough she at once caught Lena Lindsey. Her little face was puzzled, and earnest, as she felt of the hair, the cap, and the gown. Then, in an instant, she pa.s.sed her slender fingers over the chin.
She laughed merrily.
"It"s Lena!" she cried gaily, "for it is Lena who has a deep dimple in her chin!"
Each took his turn at being blindfolded, and then "Post office" was announced.
Polly received a great batch of letters, and it was Rob, of course, who "_mailed_" them. Polly sent five "letters" to Rose, Rose had ten for Uncle John, Uncle John had two for Aunt Judith, who protested that she was "not a child."
"Neither am I," he said.
Aunt Judith chose little Sprite, then Sprite chose Harry Grafton. Harry had five letters for Polly, and Polly had one for Walter, who declared that he _found two_!
"Copenhagen" was the next, and "Pillow" was the next.
Princess Polly, Rose and Sprite were the most favored of all the little la.s.sies, and it would have been hard to say which of the three was the most popular.
They were now a bit tired, and while they were resting, Aunt Judith told a long story of a most exciting sleighing party that she once experienced, when the horses became frightened, and went plunging over the snow covered fields, having left the roadway far behind.
Then Uncle John matched it with a vivid tale of an encounter with a vessel manned by ocean outlaws. The children held their breath, and they felt very warm and cosey and secure, as they sat watching the dancing flames, and listening to tales of adventure.
"Now let us all enjoy a simple, old-time treat," said Aunt Judith. She tapped a tiny silver bell, and the pretty maid in her striped gown and kerchief appeared with a tray on which were little sandwiches cut in fancy shapes, and filled with chicken, others filled with lettuce, and yet others with chopped nuts. Gyp did not dream that nuts were ever served thus.
There were plates of dainty cakes, and tiny wine gla.s.ses filled to the brim with delicious raspberry shrub. How the children enjoyed the simple treat!
The sandwiches and cakes disappeared like magic, and the wee wine gla.s.ses were filled again and again with the spiced raspberry juice.
Greta piled her tray with an extra supply, and returned to the parlor, where the children were chattering like sparrows while they enjoyed the treat.
"I think this is a lovely party," said Princess Polly.
"So do I!" cried the others, as if with one voice.
"I think these are the nicest boys and girls I ever met," said Walter, adding, "_especially_ the girls."
His merry gray eyes were laughing, and Uncle John said, as he looked at the eager, boyish face:
"You shall come often to my home here at Avondale, and become even better acquainted with my young friends, and neighbors."
"I"d like to, sir," Walter replied, "for I want them to be _my_ friends."
"We _will_! We _will_!" cried an eager chorus.
It was later than they dreamed when the clock chimed the hour, and they took leave of Aunt Judith telling her how quaint and delightful the party had been, and how truly they had enjoyed the evening. Captain Atherton took the entire party under his protection, and they walked home together, talking all the way of the kindness of Aunt Judith in planning the pleasure for them.