She was going away without more words, when Emmie called out excitedly:
"Just look, gamma—two candles a-burnin', 'and no ship at sea!'"
Mrs. Gano smiled.
"Yes, my dear; one is enough."
She put the extinguisher over the nearest, and went down-stairs.
"Skinflint!" observed Val.
The supper was on this occasion a late and hurriedly prepared meal. There were soft-boiled eggs. Val helped herself to two, and broke them into a tumbler; then mixed in salt, and pepper, and butter, and bits of bread.
"Just look at what Val's doing!" said Emmie, with innocent excitement, while her elder and more accomplished sister stirred the agreeable compound round and round.
"Never do that again," said Mrs. Gano, suddenly aware of the enormity. "I don't like people to make puddings in their tumblers at my table."
"T'ain't puddin'," said Val.