Eustace instantly let go, and Peter stood for a second staring down at the two red rings round his wrists, then, as Eustace turned unconcernedly away, dashed at his back and pommelled it.
"Go on," said Eustace with seeming carelessness, but the words were jerked out by the thumps; "my coat hasn't had a brushing for a week. Glad to get the dust out of it."
"Peter, Peter," said his mother warningly, "you surely don't want to be sent away before the parcel is opened, do you?"
This stopped Peter effectually; a minute later he had forgotten his grievance, which was also Peter's way.
"So the great day has come at last," said Mr. Orban, coming out from the house on to the veranda, which was so large and spacious that it was as useful to the household as several extra rooms.
Mrs. Orban put away her sewing, and every one gathered round the table as Mr. Orban began carefully undoing the string.
"Here's my knife, father," Eustace said, with a pleading note in his voice.
"Plenty of time, my lad," Mr. Orban said quietly. "One doesn't get a bit of string like this every day."
Becky had become infected by the excitement at last, and now insisted upon being held up in her mother's arms. All the eager eyes were bent on Mr. Orban's hands as he skilfully untied knot after knot.
"You won't unpick the sewing on the American cloth too, will you?" asked Nesta anxiously.