"All right," said Ladybird, with an air of resignation. "Who shall I ask?" "Oh, I don't care," said Miss Flint, who was already looking into her recipe-book; "ask any one you choose. But be sure to get eleven; I like to have just twelve at the table." "I'll help you make out a list, dearie, if you want me to," said Aunt Dorinda. "No, thank you," said Ladybird; "the list will be easy enough. I like Edith Fairchild and Bob Sheldon the best, and then I'll ask the Smith girls and Tom Cooper,--it will be easy enough to get eleven, and they'll be awfully glad to come." "That's a good child," said Aunt Dorinda, patting her head; "and if you're undecided, give the preference to those who will enjoy it most." "Yes, 'm," said Ladybird, a trifle absent-mindedly, for she was trying to make Cloppy stand on his head. The next morning all of the Flint household, except Ladybird, were busily engaged in preparations for the party, and that light-hearted damsel started out in high spirits to deliver her invitations. "It seems to me," she said to herself as she went along, "that my aunts are very good people. I know it's a trouble to them to have this party, and yet they do it just out of kindness to me, and kindness to these other children that I'm going to invite. I wish I had a kinder heart. Somehow I never think of doing good to people until somebody puts me up to it. But now I've got a chance, and I'm in the notion, and I'm just going to invite those that it will do the most good to. I believe I'll ask Jim Blake; he's the poorest boy in school, and he's awful dirty, but I know he'd like to come, and I think that's what aunty meant. Anyway, she said to invite those who would enjoy it most, and I know Jim would enjoy it like a house afire. I'll go right to his house and ask him first." Arriving at the Blakes' small and exceedingly unattractive residence, Ladybird entered and seated herself with her most conventional calling manner. "I'd like to have your son Jim attend my party this afternoon, Mrs. Blake," she said; and her hostess responded: "Laws, miss, are you in earnest now? Does your aunts know you're askin' him?" "I'm inviting any one I choose," said Ladybird; "and I want Jim to come if he'll enjoy it." "Oh, he'll enjoy it tiptop, miss, and I'm terrible glad to have him go." "Then that's all right," said Ladybird, joyously. "And I must go now, as I have to invite the others." But as she reached the door she turned, and added, with a smile that entirely cleared the words of any rude effect, "My aunts are very particular about people's personal appearance." "Oh, never fear," said Mrs. Blake, comprehendingly, "I'll redd Jim up until nobody'll know him." Ladybird went away thrilling with an exalted sense of having done a most meritorious act, and eager to let the good work go on.