"Who said so?" inquired Miss Blythe tranquilly.
"Mamma said so. She said you were going to be sent away directly, and we're to go away to school. Hooray!"
"I don't want to go to school," whined Percy dismally. "I want Jane."
"Shut up, baby; you don't know what you're talkin' about. I don't want Jane, an' I'm glad the mater's goin' to ship her; so there! Here, you, Calkins, fetch us some hot muffins; these ain't fit to eat. And, I say, hustle some marmalade while you're about it!"
Miss Blythe arose from her place. "If you can't ask civilly for your food, Cecil, you don't deserve to have anything fetched," she said rebukingly.
"Cecil's a cad, anyhow," muttered Percy, staring truculently at his brother from under his light lashes.
"Aw! an' you're a bally baby!" retorted Master Cecil, stuffing half a muffin into his cheek. "My, won't you catch it in school, though!"
"See here, boys," said Jane seriously, "very likely I'll not see you again, for I am going away——"
"You're to be sent, you mean," interrupted Cecil impudently.