78 MARY,

to recite, and you can play on the piano for me, and then we
can sing and have ice-cream. I think it would be perfectly
delightful.”

“We might have it,” replied her mother; “but it will be
very funny. However, if you have so set your heart upon it,
we will have one.”

“Oh, mamma, you are a dear! May we have it the day
after the other one?”

“When will that be?”

“Next Thursday.”

“Very well. I see no objection.”

Mary danced out of the room, and down-stairs, two steps
at atime. Then she ran out on the front porch to watch for
Cecil on her return from school.

As soon as she saw her, Mary ran down to the gate.
“Oh, Cecil,” she cried, “I am going to have a commence-
ment !”

There were two or three girls with Cecil, and they all
laughed but Cecil. “Why, how can you?” they asked.

“Very easily,” replied Mary, who did not like being
laughed at. “I don’t see any reason why I cannot. I can
learn something to recite as well as you can. And I don’t see
why my mamma doesn’t know how to play on the piano and
sing as well as any of your teachers, and I am sure we can eat
ice-cream as well as you can.”

The girls laughed again.