Her grandfather tossed aside his napkin and came over to her. “You little monkey,” he said tousling her curly head, “where did you pick up that lingo?”
“Oh, in places we have been and out of books. I don’t think I got my aitches all in the right place, but never mind. There was a head chambermaid at the hotel in Bermuda who was an excellent model. I used to find her aitches all over the place after she had left the room.”
Her grandfather laughed. “But seriously, my child,” he said presently, “this question of dinner is no joke. I think we’d better take any sort of pick-up lunch and go out somewhere to dinner.”
“But, Grad dear, everything is in the house for dinner, and, honestly, I want to try. I won’t promise that it will be perfect, but I’ll try to make it eatable. All I ask is that you won’t bring any one home to dinner. We’ll have it in the middle of the day as we always do on Sundays. If you will impress upon Gradda that she isn’t to appear till dinner time, I think I can manage. You go off to church and I’ll hold the fort.”
“But——”
“Please, no buts.”
“I am afraid it will be a great task for you.”
“Not a bit of it. I shall never learn younger, and ever and ever so many girls no older than I have done it and keep on doing it. Really you don’t appreciate what a wonderful chance it is for me. Now, James, we’re not getting on hat hall. Just go hup hand fetch down the Madam’s dishes then make yourself tidy for church.”
“But——”
“Don’t hanswer back, James; hit hisn’t respectful. Go, do has I tell you.” And the doctor went off meekly and without another word.