"Then I will ask a favor of you all,"—she followed them to the dining-room and took her place at the head of the table.
"We'll grant it before we hear it,"—Daphne's drawl sounded very soft and musical.
"Of course," Sally agreed.
"What is it, Auntie Mogs?" Janet inquired.
Miss Carter smiled delightedly.
"That's very sweet of you, but wait until you hear what it is I want you to do. This afternoon my class from the settlement is coming here for tea after I have taken them to the Art Museum. There are ten of them; all girls about your own age. I intended to give them chocolate and cake, as it is so cold to-day, and Annie was going to serve it, but this morning a telegram came saying her sister is very ill, so Annie is leaving on the three o'clock train for Buffalo and that leaves only Lucy. Will you do the waiting and serving for me?"
"Why, of course, we'd love to," they all answered together.
"I can make delicious hot chocolate," Sally announced, "so I might stay in the kitchen and help Lucy."
"And have first whack at the cakes; I think not," Daphne replied firmly.
"Now, my Aunt Jane's poll parrot, was ever any one so misunderstood?" Sally turned to Miss Carter for sympathy.