"Yes," said Rosie; "I have got the watch. It wants a minute of the time now."
"I hope she won't come," said Josie.
"She will come," said Rosie. "She has been almost ready for some time."
The children all took their seats at the table. Rosie had the watch before her, and was closely observing the minute hand. Mr. George, who thought it not polite that he should take his seat before Mrs. Gray came, stood waiting by the fire. It was a cool morning, and so Mr. George had made a little fire when he first got up.
Notwithstanding Rosie's prediction, Mrs. Gray did not come. Rosie watched the second hand, and as soon as it passed the mark she said,—
"There! it is seven o'clock; now mother is tardy."
Josie clapped his hands, and even Rollo looked quite pleased. In about two minutes the door of Mrs. Gray's bedroom opened, and Mrs. Gray appeared.
"You are too late, mother!" said Josie, in an exulting tone. "You are too late!"
"It does not depend on you to decide," said Mrs. Gray; "it depends upon Rosie."
"Well, mother, you are really too late," said Rosie. "You are two minutes beyond the time, or a minute and a half, at the very least, when you opened the door. So you must pay the fine."