Charlie ran in and she and her new doll began putting down knives and forks, the knives to the right of the plate and the forks to the left just as she’d been taught.

“That’s seven place settings, Charlie, we only need six,” said Fiona.

Charlie counted on her fingers and then said, “No, seven.”

“The four of us and Miss Webster and Mr. Pettinger,” said Fiona. “Four plus two is six.”

“And Al,” said Charlie.

“Al’s not coming,” said Fiona.

“Yes, he is, I invited him,” said Charlie.

“YOU INVITED AL to MY party?” roared Marlin in dismay.

“Yes. I saw him when I took the garbage down. I thought he was already invited so I was talking about the party and then he didn’t know about it so I said he should come.”

“What did he say?” asked Fiona.

“He said he’d think about it,” said Charlie.

“Oh, there, you see, you don’t have to worry, Marlin,” said Fiona, sighing. “You know he won’t come.”

“No, I guess not,” said Marlin, and went back to carefully crafting rosebuds on the cake.

“But you shouldn’t go inviting people without asking us,” Fiona admonished Charlie.

“Well, I didn’t know you didn’t want him. You said you were glad he did the taxes. And he’s my friend. I thought you’d want him here.”

“Never mind,” said Fiona. “Set seven places. We can remove one if he doesn’t come.” She gave Marlin a significant look, which was wasted on her, so caught up was she in cake details.

After that the wrapped presents were piled in the center of the table.

“What’s this one?” Fiona whispered to Charlie, noting the extra parcel.

“I drew a picture of Billy Bear and put it in another attic frame,” said Charlie. “It’s for Al. It’s his party favor.”

“We don’t have party favors for Miss Webster and Mr. Pettinger,” said Natasha.

So Charlie ran off to draw pictures and find frames for them too. She drew a picture of Miss Webster for Mr. Pettinger and one of Mr. Pettinger for Miss Webster.

“That’s nice,” said Fiona distractedly as she arranged a bouquet of wildflowers for the table and Charlie added the party favors at Miss Webster’s and Mr. Pettinger’s places.

At five o’clock Mr. Pettinger and Miss Webster arrived. Instead of spending all Sunday afternoon with the girls, they were coming later than usual because they wanted to pick up the Chinese food at the last minute so it would arrive hot. It was to be an early dinner.

It was a happy party. Miss Webster seemed particularly joyful, hugging each of the girls in turn. Marlin caught Fiona’s eye and her expression said, see? Adoption coming. Fiona ignored her, worried they would give it away or encourage Charlie to burst out with the news before Miss Webster could announce it.

Fiona and Natasha put plates down while Marlin sat at her place of honor at the head of the table and Mr. Pettinger and Miss Webster opened carton after carton of Chinese food from a seemingly endless supply and stuck serving spoons in them.