Mrs. Morton and Annie and Marian baked cakes and doughnuts and cookies and mince pies and custard pies, and roasted turkeys and whole hams, until pantry and cellar and spring house were all overflowing. It would be a never-ending reproach, if there should not be an abundance for all who might come, and no one could even guess how many would come. "It looks like enough for a regiment," said Mrs. Morton wearily, dropping into a rocking chair on the afternoon of the thirty-first day of March. "Yes, but country men do have such astonishing appetites. I am sure it would feed all Centerville for twenty-four hours. Of course, some of the things are not eatable," Marian replied. They had carried out the April Fool idea as much as possible without spoiling the supper. Six nice brown doughnuts had wads of cotton concealed in their tempting rings. These were to be mixed with the good ones. Pickles just out of the brine, were to be put in the same dish with deliciously perfect ones. There was to be just enough of the false to keep the guests on the alert and make fun. While they were sitting there resting, Frank and Dr. Morton came in from a trip to town. Frank tossed a package into Marian's lap with a laugh. "These ought to do the work for somebody. I'd like to fool old Jake Schmidt. It would be worth ten dollars to see his face--he is such a screw about driving a bargain." Marian untied the string and opened the parcel, revealing a handful of the most luscious-looking little cucumber pickles that ever lured the unwary. "They certainly look all right," said Marian, "what's the matter with them--salt?" "Feel them." Marian picked one up gingerly as if she were afraid it might prick her or explode in her hand. Then she threw back her head and laughed merrily. "Frank, they are just perfect. I never should have guessed it. You can fetch Jake all right with one of these. Let me know when you do, I'd like to be round to see the fun." "Aren't you afraid you will hurt somebody's feelings with all these pranks? They don't seem quite dignified some way for grown up people." "That's just why we want to have them, Mother. The Creek thinks the Morton family is entirely too grown up and stiff. They'll be good-natured, never fear." That evening Chicken Little and Sherm put their heads together. "We just must find some way to fool Frank--I sha'n't be happy if we don't." Chicken Little bit her lips and studied. "Can't you think of something, Sherm?" "Not right off the bat, but if we keep our eyes open, we'll find a way. It would be jolly if we could do it before the crowd. They would so love to see Frank have to take his own medicine. Say, this party is going to be a Jim dandy!"