"When I have handed round the plates I will get master to ring the bell, and then I will go out and bring it in."
That was a delightful arrangement, and now all they had to do was to impress upon Lucy the necessity of silence.
As they were still pointing out to her the dreadful consequences that would follow, if she mentioned a word about what they had been doing, Hester was heard calling them in to get ready for their dinner.
That something was exciting the children, was very quickly seen by both Mama and Auntie, from the frequent and meaning looks they exchanged, and from the state of suppressed excitement they were all in.
The hall-door bell was heard to ring.
"There it is!" exclaimed Lucy, eagerly.
"Hush!" came immediately from the other two.
Then Emma went out and returned with a letter, which she handed to Mrs. Graham, who on reading the address had great difficulty in suppressing a smile.
Opening the letter, she read it through carefully; then handing it to Miss Somerville, said, "It will require serious consideration before we give an answer."
"Oh, please, don't say that, Mama; we want an answer at once."