THE PLAYHOUSE
Then they all went down to dinner, the twins holding hands with each other, round Aunt Rachel’s ample waist. As she had an arm round each of their necks, locomotion down the stairways was difficult, but they all accomplished it somehow, and made a triumphal entry at the dining-room door.
Aunt Penninah was already in her chair, and looked up sharply, as if expecting to see a doleful pair of twins.
But the laughing faces proved that, if not enjoying their punishment, the children were, at least, making the best of it, and Aunt Nine sniffed a little, as she asked:
“What have you been doing all morning?”
“Oh, having the beautifullest time!” exclaimed Dolly. “We found an old doll’s house, that used to be Auntie Rachel’s when she was a little girl.”
“And my father played with it, too,” said Dick, proudly.
“Oh, Rachel,” said Miss Abbie, with a disappointed look, “we meant to keep that for their Christmas!”
“It doesn’t matter,” said her sister, serenely; “they may as well have it now. Hannah, tell Michael to bring it down to the playroom while we’re at dinner.”
Hannah obeyed, and the twins could scarcely eat their dinner for anticipation of the fun to come.