‘Dear things! Not at all,’ said Mrs. Orange. ‘I dote upon them.’
Mr. Orange here came home from the city; and he came, too, with a ring-ting-ting.
‘James love,’ said Mrs. Orange, ‘you look tired. What has been doing in the city to-day?’
‘Trap, bat, and ball, my dear,’ said Mr. Orange, ‘and it knocks a man up.’
‘That dreadfully anxious city, ma’am,’ said Mrs. Orange to Mrs. Alicumpaine; ‘so wearing, is it not?’
‘O, so trying!’ said Mrs. Alicumpaine. ‘John has lately been speculating in the peg-top ring; and I often say to him at night, “John, is the result worth the wear and tear?”’
Dinner was ready by this time: so they sat down to dinner; and while Mr. Orange carved the joint of sweet-stuff, he said, ‘It’s a poor heart that never rejoices. Jane, go down to the cellar, and fetch a bottle of the Upest ginger-beer.’
At tea-time, Mr. and Mrs. Orange, and baby, and Mrs. Alicumpaine went off to Mrs. Alicumpaine’s house. The children had not come yet; but the ball-room was ready for them, decorated with paper flowers.
‘How very sweet!’ said Mrs. Orange. ‘The dear things! How pleased they will be!’
‘I don’t care for children myself,’ said Mr. Orange, gaping.