They were interrupted by a loud, prolonged laugh from the chamber; and in a few minutes the cousins came down stairs hand in hand, just as the bell in the hall called them to supper.
[CHAPTER IV.]
MILLY AT PRAYERS.
IT was evident that Emily had attempted to improve her cousin's appearance. Her face and hands were clean; and one lock of hair next her face had been brushed smoothly, and tied back with a cherry ribbon, from Emily's drawer. An apron and collar had been added from the same place.
At the door of the dining-room, Milly snatched her hand from her cousin, and dashed up to her aunt, asking, in a loud voice, "Say, doesn't I look smart? May I keep this red ribbon for my own?"
At the table, while her uncle said grace, Milly folded her hands to be sure; but her eyes wandered from one dish to another. She did not wait till the plate of biscuit was passed, but snatched one, and commenced eating it, biting a huge piece off the side as a dog would have done.
Emily blushed. "Wasn't it dreadful?" she asked mamma afterward.
"Did you have no dinner, Milly?" inquired her uncle, greatly annoyed.
"I had a paper bag full of doughnuts and cheese," answered the child, talking with her mouth full, and showing all the process of masticating her food, occasionally using her tongue to disengage the bread from her teeth. "Martha made them on purpose. You know old Martha, don't you?"
Mr. Morgan gravely bowed assent. Every moment he was becoming more convinced that Milly must be sent away to school.