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Mink ran into the house, all dirt and sweat For her seven years she was loud and strong and definite Her mother, Mrs Morris, hardly saw her as she yanked out drawers and rattled pans and tools into a large sack

"Heavens, Mink, what's going on?"

"The asped Mink, pink-faced

"Stop and get your breath," said the mother

"No, I's, Mom?"

"But don't dent them," said Mrs Morris

"Thank you, thank you!" cried Mink, and booone, like a rocket

Mrs Morris surveyed the fleeing tot "What's the naame?"

"Invasion!" said Mink The door slammed

In every yard on the street children brought out knives and forks and pokers and old stovepipes and can openers

It was an interesting fact that this fury and bustle occurred only aer children The older ones, those ten years and more, disdained the affair and nified version of hide-and-seek on their own

Meanwhile, parents came and went in chromium beetles Repairmen ca television sets or hammer upon stubborn food-delivery tubes The adult civilization passed and repassed the busy youngsters, jealous of the fierce energy of the wild tots, tolerantly a to join in themselves

"This and this andthis," said Mink, instructing the others with their assorted spoons and wrenches "Do that, and bringthat over here No!Here, ninny! Right Now, get back while I fix this" Tongue in teeth, face wrinkled in thought "Like that See?"

"Yayyyy!" shouted the kids

Twelve-year-old Joseph Connors ran up