"You read it, dearie," said Mrs. Welwyn.
"No; I'll tell you what," exclaimed Tilly. "We'll let little 'Melia read it. She does n't get much fun."
"Oh, Tilly!" cried Amelia gratefully.
She took the letter, opened it with an air, and began:--
"My deah Mrs. Welwyn--haw!"
There was great merriment at this, for in her own family circle Miss Amelia enjoyed a great reputation as a wit and mimic. The fact that neither she nor any of her audience, save Tilly, had ever beheld Lady Adela in the flesh detracted not a whit from their enjoyment of her performance.
"It is really too good of you," continued Amelia, in the high-pitched and even tones of a lady of exceptional breeding, "to invite us all--such a crowd of us--to come to tea on Monday. As it happens, we shall be in town that day, so Mr. Mainwaring and I propose to take you at your word, and shall be charmed to come with our son and daughter at five o'clock."
"That'll be four cups," murmured Mrs. Welwyn abstractedly. "We can get Mehta Ram's. Go on, Ducky."
"After our recent experience of your daughter's society--"
Here Amelia broke off, to observe that in her opinion the last phrase sounded tabbyish.