It was May, nearly a year since Theresa had arrived at the Trunchbulls'. Nothing much had happened in the past several months. Agatha still worked as a servant for her family and Theresa, and Theresa was still popular at school.
The only new occurrence was that Rebecca now had piano lessons every Wednesday after school. Agatha was jealous; she wanted to learn how to play music as well. She did not tell her parents so, for they would not agree to give her lessons at all.
Now, another event was about to come: Theresa's birthday. Except for Agatha, Rebecca, and Ruby, many were looking forward to it. Mainly, it was Theresa, her friends, and Agatha's parents.
Thirty children were to attend, excluding Ruby. Theresa scornfully shunned her, despite her high social standing and beauty, because she was Agatha's friend. Ruby did not care; she did not like Theresa, and she did not want to go to the party either. Theresa's mother was also expected, since she had not seen her daughter since she had sent her to Vanford.
Elizabeth talked over what decorations there would be, what foods should be served, and where the party would take place. Once everyone was assembled and planned, they ordered Agatha to do the work.
Agatha spent countless hours hanging up balloons, streamers, and papered lamps. Because the guests would be eating outside, Agatha had to set up a long table on the front lawn.
On the day before the party, Agatha practically lived in the kitchen. She had to make two larges pots of soup, three bowls of salad, and two large baked chickens. Also, she had to boil two pots of potatoes, a pot a gravy, and vegetables. On top of everything else, she had to bake a vanilla cake half a foot long, and make five pitchers of lemonade. At least her parents were going to buy the cookies, doughnuts, and ice cream.
It was eight o'clock in the evening when everything was finished.
(Next afternoon-1:00pm)
Theresa was sitting in the parlor with Agatha's parents and Rebecca, bubbling with excitement. Her guests were to arrive any minute now, and she could not wait for the fun to begin.
The answer to her wish came immediately. The doorbell rang, and one by one the children ambled into the room. When all of the guests were there, everyone went outside.
After dinner (A/N: Lunch) was served, the children were allowed to play. Elizabeth and Theodore would not let Agatha partake in the activities. It did not matter much, since Agatha neither liked nor cared for any of the children, least of all Theresa. Besides, they only thing they would do was tease and humiliate her.
Indeed, they had plenty of time to do so, for Theresa ordered Agatha about just for laughs. The latter was glad when her parents told her to bring out the cake at three thirty.
Just as Agatha was climbing up the steps into the house, she heard Theresa shout, "Mother!"
Turning, Agatha saw a woman with a swirling white dress and lacy white parasol strolling into the front yard.
Her face was very striking, especially her light, liquid blue eyes, which seemed to see everything in their own light. She also had auburn hair, which framed her face beautifully, dainty feet and hands, and was tall.
Mrs. Hilton chuckled as Theresa jumped into her arms. They embraced for a moment before letting each other go.
"Oh Mother, I am so happy to see you! I have missed you so much!" breathed Theresa.
"I missed you too. Did you get get my present?" Mrs. Hilton inquired.
Theresa nodded excitedly. "I cannot wait to open it. Oh! This is Mr. and Mrs. Trunchbull," she piped up, introducing her mother to Agatha's parents.
Mrs. Hilton shook Theodore and Elizabeth's hands. "It is a pleasure to meet you," they said to each other.
Agatha went inside and carried the cake outside, lest her parents wondered why she was taking so long.
The children gasped as Agatha placed a cake with eleven lit candles on the table in front of them. It was the most beautiful cake they had ever saw. It had curls, swirls, and pink rosebuds on the edges that were strung together by iced green stems. In the middle, written in gold icing was the words: Happy 11th Birthday, Theresa!
When everyone was assembled, they sang a rousing song of "Happy Birthday." After that, everybody received cake, ice cream, cookies, doughnuts, and lemonade. Then it was time to open presents.
Among other things, Theresa received a stationary, a glass doll from Theodore and Elizabeth, and a new pink dress from mother. It was trimmed with lace and black braiding, and came with a hat, which also had lace on it. Afterwards, the children played for another hour and then it was time for them to go home.
"Well now, Mrs. Hilton, you must sit in the parlor and have a cup of tea," Elizabeth stated graciously.
Mrs. Hilton smiled. "Thank you, Mrs. Trunchbull. I would like that."
Once Agatha had served everyone, Mrs. Hilton spoke again.
"You have a wonderful home, Mrs. Trunchbull. I can see why Theresa speaks so highly of this place. I am grateful to you for taking care of her and making her feel as if she were one of your own. She also mentions your daughter Agatha in her letters. I understand that she is helping her get along in school. She must be, for she has a lot of friends, so I noticed," she remarked.
Elizabeth nodded. "Yes. Agatha never thinks of herself very much. She would rather help others."
Theodore agreed. "The only thing she worries about is school, which Elizabeth and I encourage," he added.
"That is good. Where is your daughter Agatha?" queried Mrs. Hilton.
"Right here," Elizabeth responded, pointing to Agatha.
Mrs. Hilton turned to Agatha, then froze. "She is Agatha? But...but...I thought she was your maid," she said when she could find her voice.
Agatha's eyes widened in disbelief. To think that Mrs. Hilton could not tell that she was Theodore and Elizabeth's daughter! Then again, how could she? Agatha was not dressed grandly like her family or the Hiltons. It would be easy to assume that she was a servant. Even so, Agatha felt more than faint dislike for Mrs. Hilton.
"Well...thank you for helping my daughter out at school. I really appreciate it," Mrs. Hilton declared awkwardly.
Agatha only bobbed her head sullenly.
Theresa leaned forward. "When are you going home?"
"In a few hours. I have to get back home by tomorrow if I want to keep my job," replied Mrs. Hilton.
"Oh! You have a job? What do you do?" Mrs. Trunchbull questioned brightly.
"I work in a factory oiling and repairing machinery. It's a good line of work, and they pay well."
"That's wonderful."
Everybody except Agatha chatted until nine thirty, when the children had to go to bed. Before going upstairs, Theresa gave her mother a tearful good-bye.
"When will I see you again?" the former sobbed quietly.
"Soon," Mrs. Hilton responded, embracing her tightly. "I will let you know."
Theresa nodded and climbed up the stairs after a final wave.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Hilton held a private conversation with Theodore and Elizabeth.
"Mrs. Trunchbull, why is Agatha dressed as if she were a servant? Her clothes look absolutely deplorable. Are you sure she's not a foundling?" she whispered.
Dead silence. For once, Theodore and Elizabeth could not think of anything to say. They had never confessed that they did not love or care for Agatha. However, they had a vague suspicion that people know that they did not. But they did not care. In their opinion, they did not believe that an "ugly" person could be loved, so what was the use in pretending to do so?
Elizabeth cleared her throat. "Agatha had an argument with a girl in school and tore her-the girl's-dress on purpose. So, as a punishment, we made her wear a plain dress," she lied, making up an excuse. She was running out of them.
Mrs. Hilton frowned. "But Theresa tells me that she wears clothes like that all of the time. She also says that Rebecca's clothes are all pretty. Plus, she told me that Agatha does all of the cooking and cleaning.
"Agatha likes to do housework. She offered to do it herself. We tell her not to work so much, but we cannot stop her. She practically eats the work!" chuckled Theodore. "And she said to give her plain clothes so because she would not have to worry about getting them messy."
"Oh...I see. Well, it must have been just a misunderstanding," said Mrs. Hilton.
As always, Agatha heard them, and she was furious that her parents lied about why she worked so much and why she wore ugly, plain clothes. Next, they would probably tell people that she wanted to be a housekeeper.
The next thing she heard however, boosted her spirits a notch.
"Maybe you should give Agatha at least one or two pretty dresses. They could be worn for formal occasions. You should also let her play with other children and have fun too. She is still a child after all," Mrs. Hilton pointed out.
The Trunchbulls nodded. "I think you are right," agreed Elizabeth. Besides, she was tired of hearing people telling her that Agatha was poorly dressed, and that she did too many household chores. Maybe everyone would be quiet now.
