“Yes, I’m ready,” said Harry, flinging the last pebble into the water. “I want to see papa and mamma; ’sides I’m hungry for my lunch.”
“So am I,” said Blanche, and they followed on behind Ethel and the baby sister, laughing and chatting merrily as they went.
Myra met the little party at the gate, her eyes red with weeping.
“O Myra, what’s the matter?” asked Ethel in alarm.
“Never mind,” returned the little maid evasively. “Your lunch is ready, and you’d best come and eat first thing, ’cause I know you must be hungry.”
So saying she led the way into the house and on to the dining room.
They had come in with appetites sharpened by exercise in the open air, and were too busy satisfying them to indulge in much chatter. Nannette at length fell asleep in her chair and was carried to her bed by Myra, whither Harry presently followed her.
“Has mamma had her lunch yet, Myra?” asked Ethel.
Myra seemed not to have heard, and the question was repeated.
“No, miss,” she replied, and Ethel noticed a suspicious tremble in her voice.