"Perhaps you know that there are 87,000 benevolent institutions in this country filled with over a million and a half poor children, to whom this magazine will prove a welcome visitor. The cost of producing this magazine is partially paid for by donations, and the profit of the work is all devoted to a settlement in the country where the city children can spend the summer.
"Inclosed find a subscription blank. Make all checks payable to 'Blue Birds of Happy Times Nest.'"
"Wish we had time to run over to the Bobolinks and order fifty thousand of these letters," suggested Dot.
"Oh, wouldn't it be fun to see their faces!" laughed Norma.
"Maybe we will have time--it is only five minutes to nine," announced Mrs. Talmage, looking at her watch.
"We can try it--we will walk down the path, and if we find they are leaving we can keep our own council until another night," said Mrs. Talmage, as everyone rose hurriedly to go.
The children hurried on before, while the ladies followed more sedately.
The heavy doors were closed, but an opening about a foot wide left space enough for Ruth to squeeze through and pull one of the sliding doors along the groove to admit the other visitors.
The men had been lounging about, talking and watching their sons work, but upon the entrance of the ladies everyone arose in surprise.
"Rather a late hour for a call, dear," ventured Mr. Stevens.
"Oh, not at all. We were attending a business meeting, and found it necessary to leave an order with the Bobolinks."
"An order--what kind of an order?" questioned Ned dubiously.
Mrs. Talmage handed over the copy of the letter she wanted printed, and directed the company to get out a proof as soon as possible, for they would need about fifty thousand.
"Fifty thousand!" gasped the boys, while the men looked incredulous.
The Blue Birds could not restrain a giggle at the utter amazement of the Bobolinks, and the ladies thoroughly enjoyed their husbands' surprise.
"Oh, well, I suppose it will take you a long time to run off so many, so you may do ten thousand at a time," said Mrs. Talmage.
The Bobolinks could find no words with which to reply, and the men seemed to have lost their tongues also. While Mrs. Talmage waited for an answer, Don scowled at his twin sister.