“In that case you can return by the way you came,” said Mr. Dinsmore, appearing on the scene. “How do you do, Adelaide?”
“Very well, thank you,” she said, moving on down the hall with him and Rose, leaving Enna to follow or not as she pleased.
Enna hung back, muttering that “she wouldn’t stay to be abused and treated like a nobody.”
“No, don’t,” said Walter teasingly, “stand on your dignity and go home. I wish you would; for I know we’ll have a great deal better time without you.”
“You hateful boy! I shan’t go one step!” she exclaimed, stamping her foot at him and rushing after Adelaide and the others.
“I say, En,” he called after her, with a grin, “you’d better be on your good behavior, or Santa Claus will pass you by.”
“Marse Walter, shall I show you to yo’ room, sah?” asked a servant who had all this time stood respectfully waiting.
“Yes, Dick; I suppose I’d better see if I’m all right for dinner.”
“Now, Enna,” Adelaide said, turning to the pouting child, as the door of their room closed upon Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, leaving them alone together, “you must behave yourself decently or you shall go home at once, whether you will or no.”
Enna was by no means willing to miss the fun and gifts or the feasting which she knew were in store for those who should share the hospitalities of the Oaks for the next few days, and being well aware that Adelaide was quite capable of carrying out her threat, especially if assisted by their Brother Horace, she reluctantly decided to banish her ill humor and submit quietly, if not quite pleasantly, to the arrangements that had been made for her.