"Oh! please, Phil! I want three at least."
"If there is none for me, Fergy my boy, I shudder at the consequences for you!"
Phil distributed letters and papers; the family subsided on chairs and benches with their treasures, and for some minutes nothing was heard but the rustle of paper and the steady downpour of the rain.
"Oh!" cried Peggy, presently. "Oh—eee! splendid!"
"Sapolio!" exclaimed Gerald; and "Well! well!" said Mrs. Merryweather.
The three exclamations were simultaneous, and Bell, who had no letters, raised her hand with an imperative gesture. "Exclamation must be followed by explanation!" she said. "Law of the Medes and Persians. We shall be glad to hear from the exclaimers."
"Who? me? did I?" asked Peggy, looking up with sparkling eyes. "Semiramis has eight puppies. Think of it! eight whole puppies!"
"I never buy more than half a puppy at a time," said Gerald, "unless it is for a veal and ham pie."
"Gerald!"
"Well, it's a fact, Mater; I never do. What kind of puppies, thou of Limavaddy?"