“Now, Poley, dear, you can go and look after the breakfast, and we will set the table. Miss Judith is quite at home with us, and knows as much about housekeeping as we do,” said Palma brightly.
Mrs. Pole made no objection, but left the room.
Then Palma—and Judy following her example—began to take the books off the center table and pile them in a corner. Then they folded the table cover and laid it upon them.
Palma went to the prettiest little doll’s corner cupboard that ever was seen, opened a drawer in the lower part of it, and took out a white damask cloth which she spread upon the table.
Then she handed out the china, piece by piece, which Judy took and arranged on the cloth.
“You see, dear, what a little casket we live in,” said Palma when the table was ready and the cupboard closed.
“Sure, darlint, ye are a precious jewel yerself, and where would ye be stored but in a casket itself?” demanded Judy.
Presently Stuart came up from below and greeted the two young women cordially.
Mrs. Pole brought in the breakfast and they sat down to the table.
They were scarcely seated when Ran entered, shook hands all around, and took the fourth place at the table, which had been prepared for him.