"He asked if he might help lay the table."
"Help lay the table?" the General roared. "He is a molly-cott, Madam, as well as a clown! To think a boy with a single drop of Haines blood in his veins should want to lay a table!—But he shall not do it!—he shall not ape the ways of a petticoat while under my roof."
"Miss Sarah," cried May, "I came to tell you that cook let me put the potatoes in the kettle—I hope you don't object to that!"
May stood in the dining-room door, a white apron pinned over jacket and knickerbockers, and the sight of the badge of feminine neatness exasperated the General anew.
"TAKE OFF THAT APRON," SHOUTED THE GENERAL
"Take off that rag!" he shouted.
"Run out and take off the apron, as the General bids you," Sarah said.