“Oh, children,” said Miss Larkin, in despair; “don’t talk like that! I know you don’t mean anything, for you love each other, but your rough and tumble ‘poundings’ would shock Mrs. Mortimer inexpressibly.”
“All right, Larky, dear,” said King, in his winning way; “we won’t have any jinks of any kind while your friends are here. We’ll be as good—as good—oh, we’ll be just Spencer good!”
“That’s nice of you,” said Miss Larkin, beaming on them; “and if you say so, I know you’ll keep your word.”
CHAPTER VIII
ROMPS AND RHYMES
For the next few days the children were left to their own devices. Miss Larkin was busy as a bee getting the house ready for her expected company. The two pretty guest rooms were appointed for their use, and Miss Larkin herself moved into Mrs. Maynard’s room.
Astonishing preparations were made in the kitchen department, and even Ellen, the good-natured cook, was amazed at the lavish orders given to the grocer, butcher, and caterer.
“Shure, an’ annybuddy’d think the hull rile fam’ly was a-comin’,” she said to Sarah.
But they were well-trained servants, and as Miss Larkin was temporarily mistress of the house, they obeyed her wishes.
The day that the Mortimers were expected, the children came home from school to find the house in specially immaculate order, flowers in almost every room, and a general air of festivity all about.
“We have only a ‘pick-up’ luncheon,” said Miss Larkin, who was looking over a timetable as she talked. “You see, I forgot to order anything—I was so absorbed in my dinner preparations. But Ellen has found something for you, I see.”