"It was very impolite in you to run away and leave me when I was your partner in the first quadrille! I do not see why you should have disappointed me for anything that fellow could have said or done!" exclaimed Claudia.
As all were speaking at once it was quite impossible to answer either, so Ishmael looked in embarrassment from one to the other.
Bee had not spoken; she was spreading butter on thin slices of bread for her baby sisters; but now, seeing Ishmael's perplexity, she whispered to her mother:
"Call them off, mamma dear; they mean well; but it must hurt his feelings to be reminded of last night."
Mrs. Middleton thought so too; so she arose and went forward and offered Ishmael her hand, saying:
"Good-morning, my boy; I am glad to see you; draw up your chair to the table. Children, take your places. Mr. Middleton, we have been waiting for you."
"I know you have, my dear, but cold lunch don't grow colder by standing; if it does, so much the better this warm weather."
"I have been taking a walk with my young friend here," said the gentleman, as he took his seat.
Ishmael followed his example, but not before he had quietly shaken hands with Beatrice.
At luncheon Mr. Middleton spoke of his plan, that Ishmael should come every day during the holidays to pursue his studies as usual in the schoolroom.