The Twin Cousins

Birthday excitement gets Flaxie Frizzle into trouble when she repeats Auntie Prim's instructions too faithfully. With her cousin Milly beside her, she calls on the guests' mothers and includes her aunt's remark about being thankful when the party is over. Adult amusement leaves the children embarrassed, and Flaxie's delight gives way to hurt feelings. Sophie May turns a simple invitation into a comic scene about the gap between a child's understanding and an adult's intentions.

The cousins' closeness and quick tempers carry into their play and school life. Their claim to be twins meets a challenge from another girl, and a cooking experiment is followed by a fire that threatens the schoolhouse. Miss Pike calmly leads the pupils outside by having them sing and march. This children's story offers lively conversations and domestic mishaps, with friendship, pride and responsibility emerging through the children's reactions to everyday events.