"Good-pood day-pay!" Mrs. Pirk went like a flash to the fireplace and grabbed a broom-stick.
"Get out!" she cried. "Out with you!"
So out of the door we ran, stumbling and tumbling over each other, Mrs. Pirk after us with her uplifted broom, out into the moonlit street. Oh! it was unspeakable fun to be chased out-of-doors that way by Mrs. Pirk!
Well—then we went on to the Macks'.
They were sitting alone in their big light sitting-room, as we went in. Mrs. Mack was playing "patience" and Mr. Mack sat by her side smoking his long pipe and pointing out with the end of it which card he thought she ought to take next.
We pressed close together around the door and curtsied.
"Why, see! Welcome to youth and joy!" said Mrs. Mack, rising. "What nice young people these are to come to visit a pair of old folks like us!"
Mr. Mack came forward and pointed with the end of his pipe over our heads, saying:
"Up on the sofa with you! Up on the sofa with you, all three!"
So there we sat, as if we were distinguished guests, with the lamp shining full upon us.