"Because to-morrow is Saturday, and the cook and housekeeper must make ready for the Sabbath rest by doing two days' work in one."
"Can't we manage that somehow?" asked Donald.
Mary shook her head. "No; but I shan't mind it at all. Go and enjoy yourselves, my children, and leave me to attend to my duties at home."
"The rest can go if they choose, but if you stay at home, cousin, I shall stay with you," announced Violet with decision.
They rose from the table.
"Mary," said Charlie, "let the dishes stand a bit. I'm going to the post-office," and seizing his hat he disappeared, followed by the laughter of the others.
"Quick, now, lads and lasses, let's have them all out of the way before he gets back," said Ella, beginning to clear the table in hot haste.
The heat of the sun was too great to allow of very fast walking, and Charlie was gone a full half hour; when he returned he found them all sitting at their ease in the parlor.
"I think we'll leave those dishes till the cool of the evening, Mary," he said, wiping the perspiration from his forehead.
"No, I can't consent to that—not on ordinary occasions," she answered demurely.