"Shall I move this on one side?" asked Meg, touching the vase in the centre of the mantel-shelf.
"Put it on the chiffonier," said Jem, placing the clock where she had made room for it. "Don't it look handsome?"
After they had all admired it till they had no more words at their command, Meg turned to the basket again.
"Jem, we must have one of these fowls to-night for tea, because mother is here."
"You're very kind, my dear," said Mrs. Seymour, "but I don't wish to eat up your good things."
"Who should enjoy them if not you?" asked Meg heartily, quickly clearing away the papers and things, and placing the hamper tidily in a corner. She spread the cloth and set out the fowl on one of the dishes, putting the sausages round as a garnish; then she poured out some cream, and found a plate for the country butter, which quite ornamented the table, with its pretty cow resting on the circle of grass.
"My mother put us in a loaf of her home-made bread," she exclaimed, turning to Jem; "can you get it out of my basket?"
Jem laughed. It already stood on a plate at her elbow.
"We are ready then, mother," said Meg, preparing to sit down at the tray. "Will you come to the table?"
"I don't think you've made the tea yet, my dear," answered Mrs. Seymour smiling, as she glanced at the still steaming kettle.