Mrs. Parke thought she saw light, however, and turned to George. “Is the Custis wedding coming off soon?”
“Yes, but Martha says she won’t marry me as Washington. She thinks Jack looks better in the cocked hat,” grumbled George.
“But looks never make the general!” laughed Mrs. Parke.
Then, turning to the still amazed guest, she explained.
“I have lately been reading the life of George Washington to the children and they have a great deal of fun playing the chapters as I read them. Only they sometimes have very realistic fun—for instance when they burned down the old homestead, and again when they went on a survey trip. Last week they had the dreadful battle between the French and British at Fort Duquesne, and as a result, our entire hedge is broken down for more than thirty feet in length.”
“Thank goodness, then, that history has reached the point where Martha Custis subdues the fighting inclination of George,” laughed Mrs. Davis.
The maid appeared with tea just then, and in the deep dish where so many tempting cakes had reposed in the early afternoon, there now were two lonely scorched cookies. Thin slices of buttered bread without jam, and hot waffles sugared but with no honey, caused consternation in all present.
“Katy, is there any jam?” asked Martha.
“Mammy say dat jam’s goin’ t’ stay locked up fer anudder day!”
“Katy!” gasped Mrs. Parke. “What are these scorched cakes doing here?”