Page:Zodiac stories by Blanche Mary Channing.pdf/275

 "Anything but another fit of hysterics!" said Mr. Fane, who stood by. So the dangerous meal was ordered, to the huge delight of both children.

The birthday dawned fair and warm. Moti rapturously opened a number of parcels, and found a doll in one; a lovely toy parasol in another; a box of paints; a fairy-book; a necklace of Indian silver-work; and a trinket-case of beautifully carved sandal-wood from Dilâl. The little girl was radiantly happy, and flew up and down the house like a humming-bird.

The party was to begin at three o'clock, and long before that time the children were ready and impatient for their young friends to arrive.

"Don't you hate your best clothes?" asked Bobby, as they sat on the cool veranda waiting. He twisted his neck stiffly in his clean collar as he spoke, and looked ruefully at his new knickerbockers in which he was forbidden to climb trees.