THE ORCHARD PARTY 39 
help themselves. This is best done outdoors and under the 
trees, and there is no such charming place to meet the birds and 
be introduced te them as in an old apple orchard such as ours. 
“Of course at this season birds are growing fewer every day, 
but this makes it all the easier to name those that remain, with 
less chance of confusion than in spring. 
“T propose to have an Orchard Party next Saturday, and I 
should be happy to have you bring as many of your pupils as 
possible to spend the day here. We will have luncheon in the 
orchard and the children will find there many bird homes that 
the tenants have left, that will show them that man is not the 
only housebuilder and thoughtful parent. 
“Tf there are any children who do not care to come, pray do 
not force them in any way, but if possible let me know by Friday 
morning how many I may expect.” 
It was Wednesday when Miss Wilde told the children 
of the invitation, just before she rang the bell for noon 
recess. Then she asked all those who wished to go to 
the Orchard Party to stand up, and instantly thirteen of 
the fifteen present were on their feet, the two exceptions 
being Eliza and Dave. 
Miss Wilde of course noticed this. However, she said 
nothing about it, knowing that with these two discon- 
tented ones the reason would be told before long and that 
very plainly. But when they returned from dinner she 
gave each one a sheet of clean paper and told them to 
write answers either of acceptance or regret, as they felt 
inclined, to Gray Lady, first writing a short note upon the 
blackboard herself so that they might see how to begin 
and end, and where to put the date, because some children 
who can spell separate words do not know how to put 
them together so as to express clearly and concisely what 
they wish to say in a note. 
