Peggy And The Plum Cake

Peggy and the Plum Cake. 

       It was the kind of cake that most people, I think, call raisin cake or fruit cake, if citron and other goodies are mixed with the raisins - but Grandmother called it Plum Cake, with a capital P and C in her voice. And it sounded so much richer, and more fragrant by that name as Grandmother spoke it, that Peggy would never think of calling it anything else. 

        This particular Plum Cake was for Peggy's birthday party - her eighth birthday. Peggy had seeded the Plums (great purplish blue raisins which Grandmother thinks the only sort fit to eat) and Grandmother had come out of her sunny room to the sunny kitchen to make it. On her last - her eightieth birthday - Grandmother had decided it was best for her not to eat any more Plum Cake herself. But she did enjoy making it for Peggy. It was round and full of plums, with pink frosting all over. There was a double border of red-and-white round candies, and "PEGGY" and an "8" done beautifully with them in the middle. 

       Peggy had sent out her invitations the week before, and every one had accepted, even the Brown twins, Theodore and Thornton, who were only five, but very fond of parties. 

       "Just eight of us," said Peggy, as Grandmother was setting the round table in the breakfast room. "And the Plum Cake will cut so beautifully into eight pieces." 

       Grandmother smiled as she went on laying the plates. Mother had had to attend a Committee Meeting, but Grandmother and Peggy felt quite equal to managing the party. It was to begin at three, with supper at six. 

Peggy serves her guests.

       All the guests came trooping in before three, and they had a merry time with games in the library. But they weren't two seconds in stopping when Grandmother opened the door and announced, "Supper is served, ladies and gentlemen." 

       Everything was good, but the beautiful Plum Cake was the center of their attention. When they got to Plum Cake there was a hush. 

       With a shining knife, Peggy cut it across, and across, and across, and across. Eight lovely three-cornered pieces. M-m- m-m, but wouldn't it taste good! She could hardly wait! She served it on little pink plates-one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight-the plate was empty, and she had not served herself! Whatever!! Then it flashed on her. She had sent Theodore and Thornton's invitation together, and had counted them as one! But, oh, when it came to Plum Cake they counted two! Indeed, they did! 

       Peggy managed to eat a spice cooky with such a gratified expression on her face that none of her happy guests noticed that she had no Plum Cake. She laughed and talked and kept their cocoa cups and milk glasses filled, and the party came to a joyful finish just as the clock struck seven. Then there was a rush for jackets and caps and capes and bonnets, and soon Peggy was alone. 

       Grandmother appeared, smiling, "Did the party go off well, Peggy?" she asked. 

       "Beautifully," answered Peggy. 

      "Nothing went wrong?" 

       "Not a thing-to speak of!" cried Peggy bravely. "Everybody had a good time. And your Plum Cake was delicious!" 

Grandmother fixes the problem.

       Grandmother came close and put her finger under Peggy's chin. "How do you know?" she asked. "Hm?" And while Peggy was stammering, "Wh-wh-why-?" Grandmother hurried into the pantry, and came out with the most beautiful baby Plum Cake, with frosting, and red-and- white candles, and everything! Peggy stood speechless. 

       "I saw your mistake, when you were writing your invitations and naming over your guests," said Grandmother; "and, just for fun, I kept still. But I made that extra Plum Cake just the same." 

       "Oh, Grandmother!" cried Peggy. 

       "And now," smiled Grandmother, "I take the greatest pleasure in presenting it to my little granddaughter, who proved herself a perfect hostess and what I believe the boys would call a good sport!" 

       "Oh, Grandmother!" cried Peggy again. And when she had finished hugging her, she coaxed, "But, Grandmother, you must eat some of this Plum Cake! I know it will what is it you say? Oh, 'agree' with you!" 

       "I do believe it will!" said Grandmother. Minnie Upton