So with the general air of celebration, and Mr. Maynard’s gay chatter and jokes, the little trace of sadness that threatened to appear was kept out of sight, and all through the summer Marjorie had only pleasant memories of her last evening at home.

After the dessert the waitress appeared again with a trayful of parcels, done up in the most fascinating way, in tissue paper and dainty ribbons.

This, too, was always a part of the farewell feast, and Marjorie gave a little sigh of satisfaction, as the well-filled tray was placed before her.

“That’s mine!  Open mine first!” cried Rosamond, as Marjorie picked up a good-sized bundle.

“Yes, that’s Rosy Posy’s,” said her mother, laughing, “and she picked it out herself, because she thought it would please you.  Open it first, Midge.”

So Marjorie opened the package, and discovered a little clock, on the top of which was perched a brilliant red bird.

Rosamond clapped her hands in glee.  “I knew you’d love it,” she cried, “’cause it’s a birdie, a yed birdie.  And I finded it all mysef in the man’s shop.  Do you yike it, Mopsy?”

“Indeed I do,” cried Marjorie; “it’s just what I wanted.  I shall keep it on my dressing-table at Grandma’s, and then I’ll know just when to get up every morning.”

“Open mine next,” said Kitty; “it’s the square flat one, with the blue ribbon.”

So Marjorie opened Kitty’s present and it was a picture, beautifully framed to hang on the wall at Grandma’s.  The picture was of birds, two beautiful orioles on a branch.  The colors were so bright, and so true to nature, that Marjorie exclaimed in delight: 

“Now I shall have orioles there, anyway, whether there are real ones in the trees or not.  It is lovely, Kitsie, and I don’t see how you ever found such a beautiful bird picture.”

Marjorie had always been fond of birds, and lately had begun studying them in earnest.  Orioles were among her favorites, and so Kitty’s picture was a truly welcome gift.  King’s present came next, and was a beautiful gold pen with a pearl holder.

“That,” he explained, “is so you’ll write to us often.  For I know, Mops, your old penholder is broken, and it’s silver, anyway.  This is nicer, because it’s no trouble to keep it clean and bright.”

“That’s so, King, and I’m delighted with this one.  I shall write you a letter with it, first of all, and I’ll tell you all about the farm.”

Mrs. Maynard’s gift was in a very small parcel, and when Marjorie opened it she found a dear little pearl ring.

“Oh, goody!” she cried.  “I do love rings, and I never had one before!  May I wear it always, Mother?”

“Yes,” said Mrs. Maynard, smiling.  “I don’t approve of much jewelry for a little girl not yet twelve years old, but you may wear that.”

Marjorie put it on her finger with great satisfaction, and Kitty looked at it lovingly.