The girls gathered informally about her, looking on with gratified eyes. The flower gift had established a bond of sympathy between them. Already Miss Susanna was beginning to glimpse the reason for Marjorie’s devotion to her special friends. The girls also understood Marjorie’s growing interest in the last of the Hamiltons. Miss Hamilton had an oddly fascinating personality which commanded liking.
“There!” Miss Susanna exclaimed, as the last rose went into a vase to her satisfaction. “I shall leave them in the library while you are here. Afterward I shall take my posies to my room. They will be the last thing I see tonight and the first in the morning. I have selfishly fussed with my lovely roses instead of giving you hungry children your tea. We are going to have it in the tea room today. I will ask you to come now.”
She led the way from the library to an apartment directly behind it. A subdued chorus of admiration ascended from the guests as they stepped into a room which was quite Chinese in character. The walls were hung with rare Chinese embroideries and delicately-tinted prints. A pale green matting rug with intricately-wrought lavender and buff characters covered the floor. The tables and chairs were of polished teak, beautifully inlaid with mother of pearl. In one corner was a tall Chinese cabinet topped by two exquisite peachblow vases. Here and there were other vases of value and beauty. It was an amazing room. With so much to look at, it required time to appreciate fully its worth from an artistic point of view.
While there were several small tables, there was a large oblong one which would seat the party. It was laid for tea and graced by the most wonderful tea set the girls had ever seen. It was of faint, almost translucent, green banded by an odd Chinese scroll border in silver.
“What a perfectly wonderful room!” gasped Vera, her hands coming together in an admiring clasp, so characteristic of her.
Her approval was echoed by the others. The mistress of Hamilton Arms piloted them to the large table, taking her place at the head of it.
“Have your tea first, then you may explore Uncle Brooke’s famous tea room as much as you please.” Miss Susanna glanced about at the circle of eager young faces with a bright smile. She was enjoying this innovation so much more than she had thought she might. “This will really be a meat tea. I know you girls will need something more substantial than tea and cakes, as you won’t be home in time for dinner.”
The invaluable Jonas now appearing, an appetizing collation consisting of creamed chicken, hot muffins, a salad and sweets was served, together with much tea and more talk and laughter. The girls were hungry enough to enjoy every mouthful of the delicious food provided by their hostess, agreeing with Marjorie as to the super-excellence of the tea.
“Please tell us about this tea room, Miss Susanna,” coaxed Marjorie. The repast finished, the party still sat at table. “I suppose it was planned and arranged by Mr. Brooke Hamilton.”
“Yes; it is considered the finest private tea room in America,” was the reply. The odd part of this room is that every article in it was a gift to my great uncle. Shortly after LaFayette’s visit to America, when Uncle Brooke was a young man in his early twenties, he embarked on a business venture to China. He expected to be gone only a year. Instead, he remained in China for twelve years. Unlike many persons, he did not antagonize the Chinese. They learned to appreciate him for his nobility, and became his firm friends. Every now and then, someone would make him a present. A true Chinaman will give the best he has if he wishes to give.