"My eyes!" ejaculated Joe in amaze. "Grandmother, you're a trump."
"Joe!" exclaimed Hal reproachfully.
Joe made amends by kissing Granny in the most rapturous fashion. Then he escorted her to the table in great state.
"Have you been good children to-day?" she asked, as they assembled round the table.
"I've run a splinter in my toe; and, oh! my trousers are torn!" announced Kit dolefully.
"If you ever had a whole pair of trousers at one time the world would come to an end," declared Joe sententiously.
"Would it?" And Kit puzzled his small brain over the connection.
"And Charlie preserves a discreet silence. Charlie, my dear, I advise you to keep out of the way of the ragmen, or you will find yourself on the road to the nearest paper-mill."
Florence couldn't help laughing at the suggestion.
"Children!" said their grandmother.