“Bother the slippers! Who cares about them! Uncle don’t need them, and why should you be fussing over them,” said Hugh.
“It’s very pleasant to work for your good old uncle, I dare say, Miss Jessie, but you can do that in the afternoon. We very much wish you to join our party this morning,” observed Walter.
“I know I could,” replied Jessie; “but mother wishes me to sew or study every morning until dinner-time, and I have resolved to do it. I have broken my purpose a great many times, but I must keep it now, much as I want to go out skating. Can’t you put off your party until the afternoon?”
“Not a bit of it!” said Hugh. “Come Walt, come Carrie, let us be off.”
“I think I will stay with Jessie this morning,” replied Carrie; “and I invite you, young gentlemen, to beau us to the skating-ground, this afternoon!”
“If you won’t go now, you may beau yourselves for all we,” retorted Hugh in his usual ungracious way, when treating with his sister.
“Don’t say so, Hugh,” responded Walter. “It’s hardly polite. ’Spose you and I go without the girls this morning, and with them this afternoon? Eh?”
“As you please!” growled Hugh, swinging his skates; “only let us be off quick.”
The boys now left, promising to go with the girls at half-past two in the afternoon. Carrie laid aside her hood and cloak, which Jessie took, and laid in a heap upon the table.
“My dear!” observed Mrs. Carlton, who looked into the room just at that moment; “is that the place for Carrie’s things?”