Dorian was twenty-one years old, and his mother had planned a little party in honor of the event.

The invited guests were Uncle Zed, Bishop Johnson and wife, the teacher of the district school, and Carlia Duke.
These arrived during the dusk of the evening, all but Carlia.

They lingered on the cool lawn under the colored glow of the Chinese lanterns.
Mrs.Trent realized that it would be useless to make the party a surprise, for she had to have Dorian's help in hanging out the lanterns, and he would necessarily see the unusual activity in front room and kitchen.

Moreover, Dorian, unlike Uncle Zed, had not lost track of his birthdays, and especially this one which would make him a full-fledged citizen of these United States.
The little party chatted on general topics for some time until Mrs.
Trent, in big white apron, announced that supper was ready, and would they all come right in.

Mrs.Trent always served her refreshments at the regular supper time and not near midnight, for she claimed that people of regular habits, which her guests were, are much better off by not having those habits broken into.
"Are we all here ?" she asked, scanning them as they passed in.