"Supper is ready, ladies," said Mrs. Negus, returning to the room. "We won't wait for Mr. Huntington. Hark though, isn't he coming now?" and she ran nimbly to the front door.
It was Mr. Huntington returning from a solitary walk. "We'll go right on, dear boy," said Mrs. Negus. "Please send the children down-stairs, and I'll get them to the table, and do you come as soon as you can."
Mr. Huntington did not look into the room as he went up the staircase. Presently, at his bidding, the merry group of children came filing down, breathing hard and fast, and making vain efforts to subdue their high spirits.
Mrs. Negus scanned them through her glasses, shook her head till her curls danced, and said, apologetically, to Miss Gastonguay, "They are always frisky in frosty weather."
"So are my horses," said Miss Gastonguay. "And remember, Mary Potts Negus, that I was once a child."
Mrs. Negus marshalled her family to the table, requested Captain White to take the baby to Rebecca in the kitchen, then invited Miss Gastonguay to say grace.
"I'll not do it," said her guest.
"Captain White, then," said the little woman, again nodding her head.
Captain White also refused, so she was forced to ask for a blessing on the food herself, which she did with great amiability and reverence.
When a few minutes passed and Mr. Huntington did not come, she sent one of the twins for him.