"I didn't know that he was one of the family," said Mary.
"Of course, you know," said Gay; "you would. I was just guessing."
"Well, he isn't," said Mary, trying not to change color or to enjoy being teased about Mr. Langham.
The triplets sat in a row upon a bench made of little birch logs with the bark on. It was not soft sitting, as Lee whispered, but one had one's back to the light, and in case one had done something wrong without knowing it and was in for a scolding, that would prove an immense advantage.
"What I wanted to say," said Mary, "is just this——"
She stood up and looked rather more at the triplets than any one else, so that Lee exclaimed, "Votes for women," and Gay echoed her with, "Yes, but none for poor little girls in their teens."
"Hitherto," continued the orator, "The Inn has been only informally open. It's been more like having a few friends stopping with us. We had to see more or less of them. But after to-day there will be a crowd, and I think it would be more dignified and pleasanter for them if some of us kept ourselves a little more to ourselves. What do you think, Arthur?"
Arthur looked up sweetly. It was evident that he had not been listening.
"Why, Mary," he said, "I think it might be managed with infinite patience."
The triplets giggled; Maud and Eve exchanged amused looks.