The Rainbow Book Tales of Fun & Fancy

Excerpt: ...and her coral necklace, just as if she were going to a party. They soon scrambled off their chairs, and Molly, standing on tiptoe, seized hold of a bunch of lilies tied up with ribbon that was on the side table, and each of her brothers eagerly possessed himself of a neat brown paper parcel. It was Father's birthday. The occasion was always kept as a holiday, and the children were waiting 140 for his call to summon them to his dressing-room. "I think he must be fifty!" remarked Alec. "I fink he's fifteen," said their little sister. She spoke in a tone of conviction, accompanied by a toss of her short curls. "Don't be silly, Mollikins," replied the boys with a laugh; but she said she was sure she was right. "Halloa, Kidlets! Come along down!" came the shout of a manly voice. There was a stampede, and a race as to who should get there first. Molly arrived a bad third, but it was she who was first for him, for he went towards her and picked her up. She put her free arm around his neck, but instead of making him her little speech she exclaimed as he kissed her