Dora gave a little scream. “Look! Between the windows, Mary; see, the laburnums and grapes are hanging upward.”
“Stupid people!” exclaimed Mary, “I see. Happily, it is only on that one piece, but how Edmund will be vexed.”
“Perhaps there is another piece unused.”
“I am sure I hope there is! Don’t you know, Edmund fell in love with it at Paris. It was his first provision for future housekeeping, and it was lying laid up in lavender all these years till we were ready for it.”
“It is only that one division, which is a comfort.”
“What’s the matter?” and the master of the house came in.
“Senseless beings! It must be covered directly. It is a desight to the whole room. Here!” and he went out to the carpenter, who was universal builder to the village, and was laying down the stair carpet. “Here, Hewlett, do you see what you have done?”
Hewlett, a large man with a smooth, plump, but honest face, came in, in his shirt sleeves, apron, and paper cap, touched his forehead to the ladies, stood, and stared.
“Can’t you see?” sharply demanded the captain.
Hewlett scratched his head, and gazed round.