"What did you answer?"
"Only when you were invited."
"Quite correct. As a matter of fact, I don't think I ever was honored by such an invitation, or, as we consider it, a command."
"He also asked me to inquire of you whether the queen wore her crown at the dinner table."
"Poor old lady; I should pity her if she were obliged to do so."
Half an hour later the woman came to the door, and looking toward them, called out: "Supper's ready."
"And so am I," said the earl, in a low voice. "I hope our hostess has made a liberal provision for us."
On entering the kitchen, where the table was spread, they found she had done so. A dozen eggs, flanked by several slices of bacon, were on a dish in the center, and there was an ample supply of butter and corn bread.
An expression of profound satisfaction lit up the faces of the two travelers.
"Thank you, madam, for kindly complying with our request. We appreciate it more because we know you do not keep a hotel."