"Take care, Eeny! Don't let Kate bewitch you. Don't you know that she is a sorceress, and throws a glamour over all she meets? She's uncanny, I give you warning—a witch; that's the word for it!"
Eeny's reply was to lift Kate's hand and kiss it.
"Do witches ever eat, papa?" laughed Miss Danton; "because I am very hungry. What time do we dine?"
"What time, Miss Grace?" asked the Captain.
"Immediately, if you wish, sir."
"Immediately let it be, then."
Grace rang and ordered dinner to be served. Thomas, the old butler, and a boy in buttons made their appearance with the first course. Grace had always presided, but this evening she sat beside Eeny, and Miss Kate took the head of the table.
"The first time, papa," she said. "If I make any blunders, tell me."
"Oh, papa!" exclaimed Eeny, "I thought some one else was coming. A sick gentleman—Mr. what?—oh, Richards?"
The face of Captain Danton and his eldest daughter darkened suddenly at the question. Grace saw it in surprise.