And, indeed, Ellen had not forgotten the children’s midday appetites, and so there was plenty to eat, if not so carefully served as usual.
“I don’t want to hurry you too much,” Miss Larkin went on, as they sat down to the table, “but please get through as soon as you can; for I want the table lengthened, and then I shall myself set it for dinner.”
“We’ll make sandwiches, and take ’em up in the playroom to eat, if you say so, Miss Larkin,” volunteered Kingdon, who was willing to help in any way he could.
“Mercy, no, child! That would only make extra work for Sarah, clearing up after you. No, eat your lunch here. Don’t gobble, but make all the haste you can.”
This was a rather mixed direction, and caused much hilarity among the young Maynards.
“I’ll spread my bread on both sides,” announced Marjorie, “that’ll use up my butter faster.”
“I’ll put sugar on mine,” declared Kitty, quick to see the possibilities of this new game; “so, you see, I can eat butter and sugar both at once, and so hurry up things.”
“I’ll eat with both hands,” giggled King, as he broke a slice of bread in two, and took alternate bites.
“Oh, children!” exclaimed Miss Larkin, in despair, “now you’ve commenced carrying on, I don’t know where you’ll end up! I know how you act when you once begin your nonsense!”
“Aw, truly, Larky, we’re going to be good,” said King, in the wheedling tone that often betokened “cutting up.” “And as I know you want this table to set for King and Queen Mortimer, I’ll now remove all these bothering children. Girls, I’ll race you to the front door!”