Annis raised her eyes to her mother with a soft reproach in them.
"But I am the oldest," said Varina with jealous dignity.
"When next I go out to supper I shall have to take a caravan," declared Mr. Mason humorously. "Jane, do you think you can manage these girls for a few days and keep them out of the clutches of the young men? You will have your hands full. But I am needed at home, and I feel that we must go. So after breakfast we will gather up the small fry. Charles, have you seen enough of Washington?"
"Not half enough, but I'll come back some time. And I think I'll be a senator."
"What—not President!"
"I should have to be Vice President first," he returned gravely, at which they all laughed.
"I do not see why you should hurry!" exclaimed Jane. "The house is large enough for you all."
"There's a storm brewing, for one thing, and it's a busy season. Then we do not desire to drive you into insanity."
"My brains are on a more solid foundation than that would imply," retorted Jane.
There was quite a confusion when they rose. The squire was always in a hurry when any arrangement was settled upon. And since Jane was like an elder sister to the girls—