"How have you sped, Edina?" asked Mrs. Raynor. "Has George Atkinson given Robert the presentation?"
"No; he will not give it him."
"I feared so. He must be altogether a hard-hearted man. May Heaven have mercy upon us!"
"It will, it will," said Edina. "I have always told you so."
She was undoing the papers. The young eyes regarding them were opened to their utmost width. Had a fairy been out with Edina? Buns, chocolate, a jar of marmalade, a beautiful pat of butter, and—what could be in that other parcel?
"Open it, Charley," said Edina.
He had left his supper to look on with the others, and did as he was told. Out tumbled a whole cargo of mutton chops. Ah, that was the best sight of all, dear as cakes and sweets are to the young! Mrs. Raynor could see nothing clearly for her glistening tears.
"I thought you could all eat a mutton chop for supper, Mary. I know you had scarcely any dinner."
"Are we all to have one?" demanded Alfred, believing Aladdin's lamp must really have been at work.
"Yes, all. Charley and mamma can have two if they like. Don't go on with your miserable supper, Charles."