"Jack," said Mrs. Denham, "do what your sister asks."
Jack did not exactly disobey his mother, but flounced off to fetch the coal-scuttle as sulkily as he could, and filled it with a tremendous clatter.
"Here, Reggie, you lazy beggar, you can carry it up; you are doing nothing."
Reggie took up the scuttle, which, being too heavy for him, upset upon the stairs, all the coals falling down with an appalling noise and dreadful mess.
"I'm so sorry," said he, looking frightened.
"Butter fingers!" cried Jack contemptuously.
Agnes set herself to sweep the stairs and hall clean, drove the boys into the parlour and shut the door on them; then hurried to set Miss Mason's tea-tray, and send it up by Maria, who now appeared in her tidy apron and cap. Then she laid the cloth in Mr. Benson's room, and ran down to help her mother.
"My dear," exclaimed Mrs. Denham in dismay, "I forgot all about a pudding, and I don't know what we can do!"
"I brought some tarts in, mamma; and I thought we could toss up a sweet omelette while they are having their soup and meat."
"But eggs?" said Mrs. Denham in despair.