'Weren't they frightfully surprised?'
'They must have thought you an angel for going in to see them at once.'
'But how did they look? What did they say?'
'Has Tom put on any airs yet?' This last was from Miss Trixy.
'Girls! girls!' from the highest of the golden heads, 'how is it possible for dad to answer you if you all speak at once? Come in, father——'
'No, dear, don't! Stay with us; we're quite as fond of you as Grace.'
'And as fond of gossip, you cupboard-love young women! Come, clear off, Grace and all. There's not a pin to choose between you.'
He spoke in what was known as his voice of thunder—a voice which had often made a thousand dusky warriors quake; but these mischievous girls only chattered the more rapidly, and clustered round him the more persistently.
'Where is your mother?' said the General.
'In the dining-room,' said Trixy, 'sitting like patience on a monument, waiting for you.'