Tea at the cottage was another pleasure. It was spread on a long narrow table, under the shade of the mulberry tree. The woman produced cream and milk and mulberries, besides as much boiling water as they required.
All were very glad of their tea, and the chat was very merry. Tom was propped up as high as possible, and pushed close up to the table, and for once felt himself one of the party. His eyes shone with pleasure, and his mother thought the sea air must be doing him good. He even stretched out one of his little thin hands to help pass the cups to his mamma, and all looked delighted at the success with which he managed it.
When they were nearly through tea, Walter said, with a meaning look, "Well, now I want to know what you are all doing."
"Doing!" echoed Ada. "Why enjoying ourselves."
Still, he looked at them with the same enquiring glance; and then, not getting any exact reply, he said, "Now, I'll begin with the youngest."
"That's baby!" said Dolly, who was sitting next him.
"Well baby can't answer," said Arthur, "so I'll answer for him: 'Eats and sleeps.'"
"Good. Now, Dolly, what do you do?"
"Do as I am told," said Dolly deliberately.
The others laughed. And Netta and Isabel began blushing and hanging their heads in anticipation of their turns coming.