in which james has a birthday party

In November, James turns eight, and just as she did for William, Mrs Godwin throws him a party. She invites all the boys and girls in his class at his new school, as well as Hollis Campbell and Alexei Fokine and Trenton Payne from his old school, and all his brothers and sisters, of course, except for Gabriel who is too far away and Nathaniel who has not convalesced enough to enjoy coming down to Manhattan more than twice a year. But he has sent a gift, Lucas says, so it is as if he were here.

James wanted a pony to give everyone rides, like Hollis had at his party, but Mrs Godwin says no, a pony would be too much trouble and the weather is too unpleasant and unpredictable to assume that the pony would enjoy walking around the courtyard, or that children would enjoy riding it. It is cold and looks like rain, she says, so we will have games in the ballroom and cake and refreshments in the larger dining room and besides, William did not have a pony at his birthday party.

( William did not want a pony, James says. I do. )

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quickie research: custer's last stand, piñatas