"And I didn't mean to," said Ned, "but the things I want to say will twist up, somehow."
"That bird you are eating looks good," said the same voice; "couldn't you spare me a leg?"
"Oh, yes," laughed Ned, "if you'll come and get it. But one of these little legs wouldn't be much more than a bite for you."
"Well, a bite would be better than no breakfast at all; and somebody might give me one of those nice-looking rolls."
"I'm sure of it if you'll come to the table and show yourself," replied Ned.
"Here I am then," said the voice close at his side.
"Oh, are you?" returned Ned. "Well, help yourself. You can have anything you choose to take."
"Now, Ned, do you call that polite?" laughed Lucilla. "As you invited him to the table you surely ought to help him to what he has asked for."
At that Ned looked scrutinizingly at Cousin Ronald's plate, then at his brother's, and seeing that both were well filled remarked, "I see he's well helped already and oughtn't to be asking for more till he gets that eaten up."
"Oh, you know too much, young man," laughed Max. "It isn't worth while for Cousin Ronald and me to waste our talents upon you."