“I have never been used to them. And that makes a difference. Sometimes, to be sure, I begin to think over the matter and wish that I had ties like other boys; but it doesn’t last long. But here we are at your home.”
“Come in a minute, Gilbert.”
“I don’t know if I ought. I shall be late to supper, and the doctor wouldn’t like that.”
“Take supper with us.”
“Yes, take supper with us,” echoed John’s mother, a pleasant, motherly-looking woman, who heard her son’s words of invitation as he opened the door.
Gilbert hesitated.
The little table spread for tea looked so much more comfortable and home-like than the long table at the doctor’s, that he was strongly tempted.
“We may not have as nice a supper as the doctor,” continued Mrs. Munford, “but you may not mind that for once.”
“You give the doctor’s table too much credit,” said Gilbert, smiling. “He doesn’t mean to pamper any of us, or make us gluttons. I would a great deal rather take supper here.”
“Then stay, Gilbert.”