“And then stop to dinner—”
“Very sorry; but father will expect me. It doesn’t seem quite kind to forsake him—when he’s so nice to me.”
“I suppose not; but bring him along. We’re all an unsociable lot. They say the Merriams and their connections are queer—I don’t like the word. Your uncle and I want you to raise the fallen reputation of the family. Do be conventional, whatever you do.”
“Oh, I shall be that,—commonplace even.”
“Don’t come down in those clothes!” Mrs. Forrest was descending the stairs.
“All right, Aunt Julia. Good-by!”
When the front door had closed, Zelda sat down on the stairs and laughed softly to herself.
“Oh, Polly,” she called.
The black woman shuffled slowly into the hall and looked up gravely at the girl.
“Polly, I wish to see the footman the moment he returns to the house. And the butler’s work is very unsatisfactory; I shall have to let him go. And please say to the cook that there will be pie for dinner until further notice,—apple-pie with cheese. And the peasants,—they will be received by My Majesty on the lawn at five as usual, and largess will be distributed. Will you execute these commissions at once, Polly? Stand not on the order of your going—” She laughed down at the amazed colored woman and then ran swiftly up stairs.