A Very Little Story Of A Very Little Girl

: STORIES _for_ LITTLE GIRLS
: Boys And Girls Bookshelf

BY ALICE E. ALLEN



Molly was such a little girl that she didn't seem big enough to have a

party all her own with truly ice-cream in it. But she had asked for one

so many times that at last Mother decided to give her one. And the party

was to be a surprise to Molly herself.



Early that afternoon Molly wanted to go for a little visit to Miss

Eleanor. Miss Eleanor lived up Molly's street, in a wh
te house with

apple-green blinds. Molly often went all alone.



Miss Eleanor was always so sunny and full of songs and stories and games

that Molly loved her next best to Father and Mother and Baby.



"You may go, dear," said Mother, "if you will come home exactly at three

o'clock."



"You always say exactly three o'clock, Mother," said Molly.



"Well, five minutes after three, then," laughed Mother. "And, Molly, so

that you won't forget this time, all the way to Miss Eleanor's, say over

and over, 'Five minutes after three.' Then, just as soon as you get

there, say the words quickly to Miss Eleanor, 'Five minutes after

three.'"



"Five minutes after three," said Molly; "I can remember that."



"That will give me plenty of time to get ready for the party," thought

Mother.



Up the street with her white parasol flew Molly. "Five minutes after

three," she said over and over in a whisper until she began to sing it.

"Five minutes after three," she sang until she stopped a moment on the

bridge to see some boys fishing. Just about there, a big dog who was a

friend of Molly's ran out to say, "Good afternoon."



"Oh, Fritzie," cried Molly, "I'm going to Miss Eleanor's to make her a

visit. Want to come?"



But Fritz had the house to look after. So Molly gave him a hug and ran

along.



"Three minutes after five," sang Molly; "three minutes after five," over

and over until she ran into Miss Eleanor's sunny little sitting-room.



"Three minutes after five," cried Molly; "that's how long I can stay.

Won't that be nice?"



"Why, it's little Molly!" cried Miss Eleanor, "I'm all alone and so glad

to have company! We'll hear the clock strike five. Then, if you put on

your wraps, you'll be all ready to start home at three minutes past."



It seemed a very very short time to Molly before the little clock struck

five.



"There, deary," said Miss Eleanor. "Put on your things and hurry right

along!"



Molly put on her hat and coat. Then she kissed Miss Eleanor and hurried

down the street.



When she reached the corner, she saw that the parlor at home was all

lighted. And out of it came such a hubbub of little voices all laughing

and talking that Molly ran faster than ever.



At the door she met Mother.






"Oh, Molly, where have you been?" cried Mother. "I couldn't go after

you because I couldn't leave Baby. And I couldn't take him."



Molly scarcely heard. "Oh, Mother, Mother," she cried, "it looks like a

party. And it sounds like one. Is it a party, Mother?"



"Yes," said Mother, "your own little party, Molly. And you're the only

one who is late. How could you forget?"



"But I didn't forget, Mother," cried Molly, hurrying out of her coat,

"truly I didn't. Every step of the way I said it, and I said it to Miss

Eleanor the very first thing."



"What did you say?" asked Mother.



"Three minutes after five," said Molly.



Mother laughed. "Why, Molly dear, you got the hour and minutes turned

around. I said five minutes after three. Well, never mind. Run along

just as you are. It's a lovely party, dear, with truly ice-cream in

it."



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