“I suppose—oh, I know I can,” replied Mr. Burton, assuming that the anticipation of a day in his society was the sole cause of his wife’s joy.
Mrs. Burton knew his thoughts but failed to correct them, guilty though she felt at her neglect. That she would be practically relieved of responsibility during the day was the cause of her happiness. The children had always preferred the companionship of their uncle to that of his wife; she had at times been secretly mortified and offended at this preference, but in the week just ending she had entirely lost this feeling.
The announcement that their host and hostess thought favorably of the proposition was received by the boys with lively manifestations of delight, and for two hours no other two persons in the state were more busy than Budge and Toddie. Even their appetites gave way under the excitement and their stay at the breakfast table was of short duration.
Budge visited his father and arranged for the use of the carriage while Toddie superintended the packing of the eatables until the cook banished him from the kitchen, and protected herself from subsequent invasion by locking the door. Then both boys suggested enough extra luggage to fill a wagon and volunteered instructions at a rate which was not retarded by the neglect with which their commands were received.
When the last package was taken into the carriage the dog Terry was helped to a seat and the party started. They had been en route about five minutes, when Budge remarked:
“Uncle Harry, I want a drink.”
“Uncle Harry,” said Toddie, “I’m ’most starved to deff. I didn’t have hardly any brekspup.”
“Why not?” asked Mrs. Burton. “Wasn’t there plenty on the table?”
“I doe know,” Toddie replied, looking inquiringly into his aunt’s face as if to refresh his memory.
“Weren’t you hungry at breakfast-time?” continued Mrs. Burton.