The following afternoon little Katie Landis came running down the road
and in at the Reist gate. She greeted Amanda with, "Mom says you got to
come to our place for supper."
"To-day?"
"Yes. She's goin' to kill two chickens and have a big time and she
wants you to come."
"Anybody coming? Any company?"
"No, just you."
"All right. Tell Mother I said thank you and I'll be glad to come."
"All right, I'll run and tell her. I'm in a hurry, for me and Emma's
playin' house and I got to get back to my children before they miss me
and set up a howlin'." She looked very serious as she ran off down the
lane, Amanda smiling after her.
Later, as the girl went down the road to the Landis home she wondered
whose birthday it might be, or what the cause of celebration. The child
had been in such great haste--but what matter the significance of the
festivity so long as she was asked to enjoy it!
"Here's Amanda!" shouted several of the children gleefully, very boldly
dropping the Miss they were obliged to use during school hours.
The guest found Mrs. Landis stirring up a blackberry pone, the three
youngest Landis children watching the progress of it.
"Oh, hello, Amanda. I'm glad you got here early. Look at these
children, all waitin' for the dish to lick. Don't it beat all how
children like raw dough! I used to, but I wouldn't eat it now if you
paid me."
"So did I. Millie chased me many a time."
"Well, people's tastes change in more than one way when they get older.
I guess it's a good thing. Here, Katie, take that doll off of that
chair so Amanda can find a place to sit down. You got every chair in
the house littered up with things. Ach, Amanda, I scold still about
their things laying round but I guess folks that ain't got children
would sometimes be glad if they could see toys and things round the
place. They get big soon enough and the dolls are put away. My, this
will be an awful lonely house when the children all grow up! I'd rather
see it this way, with their things scattered all around. But the boys
are worse than the girls. What Charlie don't have in his pants pocket
ain't in the 'cyclopedia. Martin was that way, too. He had an old box
in the wood-shed and it was stuffed with all the twine and wire and
nails he could find. But now, Amanda, ain't it good he got that all
made right at the bank so they know he ain't a thief?
My, that was an awful sin for Mr. Mertzheimer to make our Mart out a
thief! I just wonder how he could be so mean and ugly. I guess you
wonder why I asked you up to-night. It ain't nothin' special, just a
little good time because Martin got proved honest again. I just said to
Mister this morning that I'm so glad for Martin I feel like makin'
something extra for supper and ask you up for you ain't been here for a
meal for long."