“Remember the rules we made about vacations, Aunt Helen. Except in cases of sickness, late comers get their own breakfast.”
“But we have company,” protested Aunt Helen.
“Virgie isn’t company. I promised her to treat her like one of the family. Here, Virginia, you can cut the bread while I hunt up the butter and things.”
Isabel flew around capably, putting some puffed wheat in dishes, setting out the cream, cutting some oranges in two, setting out a bottle of milk and the can of cocoa. “What do you suppose we girls are so crazy about cocoa for?”
“I imagine it’s because it’s so much like chocolate candy.”
“Good morning,” said somebody.
“What do you think of that!” exclaimed Isabel. “Here are Will and Milton down for breakfast, too. I’ll be good to them and ask them to have breakfast with us. We’ll all eat our fruit and cereal together as soon as I get the cocoa made. Then I’ll scramble the eggs while you or the boys make the toast and everything will be hot. We’ll want two cups of cocoa, won’t we?”
“Four of everything, please,” said Milton, his tall form appearing in the door.
“I meant two cups apiece, Milt,” replied his sister. “You and Will are invited to take breakfast with us. Please get the electric toaster ready. Yes, I believe I would cut a few more pieces, Virginia. You don’t know how it disappears in this family, and when we make it right at the table it is so good and hot. That is one thing we have in this town, electricity, if we haven’t natural gas to cook with. In the summer we use coal-oil stoves, and fireless cookers.”
“Isn’t she the little talker, though,” asked Milton. “My, but it’s been quiet here till today.”