76 CAROLINE.

a ed ————-

Phonny comes to see the valise opened. The skates.

CHAPTER VI.

THE PARTY.

PuHOoNNY always took a great interest in the opening
of Beechnut’s trunk or valise whenever Beechnut came
back from any of his journeys, for he was almost always
sure of finding something to amuse and interest him
there. In fact Beechnut often brought some small pre-
sents on such occasions.

Accordingly, on the morning after Beechnut’s sudden
return from Boston, as described in the last chapter,
Phonny went into his room before. breakfast, to see what
he had brought home. Malleville followed him. She
wished to see too. When the children went in, Beechnut
was examining the clothes which he had taken off the
evening before, to see if they were dry.

“ Beechnut,” said Phonny, “when are you going to
open your valise P”

« Pretty soon,” said Beechnut, “ though there is nothing
there that you will wish to see. Except that I have been
buying me anew pair of skates.”

“ Skates!” said Phomny, “‘ why it is August. It is no
time to buy skates in August.”

‘Ah, but I like to be in season with such things,” said
Beechnut. “I saw a new kind of skates in Boston, and
so 1 bought a pair.”

Beechnut was unstrapping his valise as he said this, and