"I am so thirsty!" he said, as he saw sundry bottles of water and lemonade lifted out.
"Wait till they come, dear," said his mother.
The servants had a little "nursery table," as Mrs. Arundel called it, spread at a short distance for baby and Dolly; but on this at present was laid nothing but some very tempting-looking rolls, with some tarts and cakes. As to Tom, he felt so dreadfully hungry that he held his whistle in his hand, only waiting a word from his mother to give the promised signal.
"Now, dear," said Mrs. Arundel, "we are all ready."
And before she had time to finish the sentence, Tom gave a whistle, which woke the echoes and brought the hungry party trooping back.
"You can do something, you see," said Nellie, smiling.
"Well, I declare," said Arthur, walking round the table-cloth, and surveying the viands. "Here's a spread! Well done, mother!"
"It is 'well done, Walter,'" said Mrs. Arundel; "more than half this came from London!"
"Pickled salmon, tongue, chickens, tarts, salad, rolls, blanc-mange, cakes, lemonade, and a lot more! Well done, Walter!"
"I'm glad you are satisfied; now then to enjoy it. But first we will ask a blessing." He raised his hat reverently, and calling to Dolly to be still a moment, he thanked God for giving them all this pleasure.