"Won't you set the table, Jane? You'll find the linen in the sideboard and the silver, too. Then put the plates to warm and a medium-sized platter and two vegetable dishes. I see Mary had the decency to leave a custard ready, and there's plenty of fruit."
As Jane awkwardly spread the cloth, and rummaged in the drawers for the required silver, she heard Mrs. Belknap's distinct American voice in the kitchen: "—not a bit of good, I'm awfully afraid, Jack,—afraid of doing anything, I could see that at a glance—Yes, one of those 'high-class servants.' Pretty? No, I don't think so—not at all. I'm surprised at you, Jack! I fear she's only one more in the long list of failures. Oh, dear, I'd give anything for a real good girl! It does seem——"
Jane guiltily opened the door. "Did you say I should lay the table for four, ma'am?" she asked.
"No, indeed; Buster will eat first, and he's almost starved, too, poor little darling! Yes, sweetheart, mother's hurrying. Jane, won't you take his bread and milk and this soft egg, and feed him at that little side table in the dining room? Or, no—" as the youngster vociferated his displeasure at this arrangement. "Do you want mother to feed you, darling? Carry him in the other room, please, Jack, and I'll come and feed him. Do you think you can broil this steak, Jane, and mash the potatoes?"
"I'll try, ma'am," said Jane coldly; "but I don't know anything at all about cooking."
"You don't? Why, how extraordinary!" exclaimed Mrs. Belknap suspiciously. "I should think you would know enough to broil a steak and mash potatoes, even if you have always been a parlor maid or a nursery governess. Do you think you can coax Buster to eat his supper?"
"I'll try, ma'am," repeated Jane; "but of course I'm a stranger to—Master Buster."
"Well, I think if you will try to look pleasant, and if you'll not be quite so wooden in your manner that he'll not dislike you. He likes almost everybody. If Buster doesn't like you, you will be of very little use to me."