`` Birthdays were made for presents , and I should like to give you one . Would it please you to have this little picture ? '' she added , lifting it out of the book . `` Truly my own ? Oh , yes , indeed ! '' cried Marjorie , coloring with pleasure , for she had never owned so beautiful a thing before . `` Then you shall have it , dear . Hang it where you can see it often , and when you look , remember that it is the sunny side of home , and help to keep it so . '' Marjorie had nothing but a kiss to offer by way of thanks , as the lovely sketch was put into her hand ; but the giver seemed quite satisfied , for it was a very grateful little kiss . Then the child took up her basket and went away , not dancing and singing now , but slowly and silently ; for this gift made her thoughtful as well as glad . As she climbed the wall , she looked back to nod good-by to the pretty lady ; but the meadow was empty , and all she saw was the grass blowing in the wind . `` Now , deary , run out and play , for birthdays come but once a year , and we must make them as merry as we can , '' said granny , as she settled herself for her afternoon nap , when the Saturday cleaning was all done , and the little house as neat as wax . So Marjorie put on a white apron in honor of the occasion , and , taking Kitty in her arms , went out to enjoy herself . Three swings on the gate seemed to be a good way of beginning the festivities ; but she only got two , for when the gate creaked back the second time , it stayed shut , and Marjorie hung over the pickets , arrested by the sound of music . `` It 's soldiers , '' she said , as the fife and drum drew nearer , and flags were seen waving over the barberry-bushes at the corner . `` No ; it 's a picnic , '' she added in a moment ; for she saw hats with wreaths about them bobbing up and down , as a gayly-trimmed hay-cart full of children came rumbling down the lane . `` What a nice time they are going to have ! '' thought Marjorie , sadly contrasting that merry-making with the quiet party she was having all by herself . Suddenly her face shone , and Kitty was waved over her head like a banner , as she flew out of the gate , crying , rapturously , -- `` It 's Billy ! and I know he 's come for me ! ''
It certainly WAS XXXXX , proudly driving the old horse , and beaming at his little friend from the bower of flags and chestnut-boughs , where he sat in state , with a crown of daisies on his sailor-hat and a spray of blooming sweetbrier in his hand .
Billy Kitty Marjorie afternoon barberry-bushes birthdays deary hay-cart second year