"Mrs. Butler, ma'am, and Miss Peters, ma'am."
Whereupon the two ladies, portentous with their great news, came in.
As they walked down the street Mrs. Butler had warned her sister not to leak out a word.
"I'll tell," she said, with simple gravity which impressed.
"But it was my news," said poor Miss Peters.
"I prefer to tell," said Mrs. Butler.
And Miss Peters was demolished.
Accordingly when they entered the room Mrs. Butler made straight for the sofa beside Mrs. Bell. She took her friend's hand, looked at her solemnly, and said:
"How are you?" in a lugubrious voice.
Mrs. Bell assured Mrs. Butler that she was in excellent health, and Matty was called forward to administer the tea and cake.