"You needn't be so cross about it!" murmured Lizzie.
"If you don't know how to play," retorted her brother, "you'd better let Hepsy take your place."
"Children!" cried Mrs. Royden, "if you can't get along without quarreling, I will burn every card I find in the house. Now, do you mark my word!"
To keep peace, Chester proposed to take Lizzie for his partner; a new hand was dealt, and the play went on.
"I wish," said Mrs. Royden, as her husband entered the room, "I wish you would make the children give up their whist for this evening."
But Mr. Royden liked to have his family enjoy themselves; and, as long as cards kept them good-natured, he was glad to see them play. He sat down by the side-table, opened a fresh newspaper he had brought from the village, adjusted his glasses on his nose, and began to read.
IV.
THE OLD CLERGYMAN.
In a little while, Hepsy came in from the kitchen, having finished her work, and, timidly drawing a chair near the whist-table, sat down to watch the game.