“You haven’t had your dinner yet,” said Jessie.
“And you could not keep your horse standing so long,” said Ned.
“And, besides, I am not to be invited,” said Philip, laughing.
They all watched him and his fine horse as they went over the bridge and along the street. Then Violet said:
“Now, mamma, you are to sit down and I am to get tea. I can do all quite well.”
And, so tying on an apron over her dress, she made herself very busy for the next half-hour, passing in and out, pausing to listen or put in her word now and then, sometimes claiming help from Jem or Davie in some household matter to which she put her hand. At last, with an air of pride and pleasure that Miss Bethia thought pretty to see, she called them to tea.
“You have got to be quite a house-keeper,” said Miss Bethia, as they sat down to the table.
“Hasn’t she?” said Jem and Davie in a breath.
“I mean to be, at any rate,” said Violet, nodding and laughing gaily. “I like it a great deal better than teaching children, only, you know, it doesn’t pay quite so well.”
“I guess it will, in the long run,” said Miss Barnes.