She was unpacking the basket as she spoke, and now said, with a laugh,—
"You'll have your rice pudding after all, Clarice! Look at this one, what a beauty it is! And chickens, as fat as they can well be—all ready roasted, too; and a huge ham—Aymer and Guy will shout when they see that, for they say no one cures such hams as Mrs. Anderson's—and a cheese, and the bottom of the basket filled with cakes and tarts. Look at Agnes, how she opens her eyes!"
"Ah, Mrs. Anderson loves to make presents," Lizzie said, with a sigh.
It was very sad to her to see how her sisters rejoiced over things to which she was so well used.
Old Katty was summoned to see the baby and his mother, and to assist in carrying off the provisions.
Agnes was made happy with a plump bun, on which she had silently fixed loving eyes, and in which she quickly fixed her little white teeth. Then the babies woke up and had to be fed; after which, they went to sleep in the same cradle, like the excellent babies they undoubtedly were, and left the sisters leisure for a comfortable chat.
[CHAPTER VII.]
THAT BELOVED BAG!