Rosemary dimpled as she untied her package, Shirley shrieked with glee and even Sarah's "thank you, Aunt Trudy" had an unusual depth of warmth in it. Two-pound boxes of chocolates did not appear at dinner every day.
Dr. Hugh put down his carving knife as Shirley lifted the lid from her beribboned box.
"I think I'll have to take charge of these boxes," he said quietly. "Aunt Trudy is very generous to remember you so bountifully, but I can not let you make yourselves sick. I'll keep them carefully for you in the office and you may have a safe number every day I promise you."
"Oh, Hugh!" Rosemary's voice was reproachful.
"I won't be sick," said Shirley with cheerful confidence.
Sarah did not speak, but she thrust her box under the edge of the tablecloth.
"It's perfectly pure candy, Hugh, and won't hurt them," Miss Wright assured him briskly.
"Well, I'm sorry, but I believe that the purest and most expensive candy taken in sufficient amount, will upset the digestion of an ostrich," said Doctor Hugh firmly. "Put the boxes on the serving table till after dinner, Rosemary."
"And I hope you'll keep 'em under lock and key," observed Winnie as she passed the creamed potatoes. "Sarah will be eating chocolates for breakfast if there's none to interfere with her."
Winnie considered herself a member of the family, as indeed she was, and she frequently took part in the table conversation except when there were strange guests present.