“Does it? That’s just what I thought of your way.”
“Shall I help you to a slice of meat, Mr. Temple?” asked Nathan.
“You’d better give me two or three; they seem to be very small,” said Tom.
Mrs. Middleton looked far from amiable as she heard this remark. Her husband contented himself with putting two of the wafers on his young friend’s plate.
“We don’t always have meat at supper,” said his wife, fearing that Tom would expect it as a general thing, “but we supposed your journey might make you hungry.”
“So it has. Mr. Middleton will you help me to more meat?” said Tom, who had already disposed of the two wafers.
Mr. and Mrs. Middleton exchanged glances of dismay.
“I think you’ll have to send for more,” said Tom coolly. “I’m delicate, and the doctor says I must eat plenty of meat.”
“My doctor tells me meat is injurious at supper,” said Mrs. Middleton, with emphasis.
“Tell him he doesn’t know much. Another piece of butter, Mr. Middleton, if you please? It would kill me to go without meat.”