"Why, we must have come down too soon, Otoyo. You little monkey, you led me to believe it was quite late."
Otoyo smiled and winked both eyes rapidly several times.
"I think Mrs. Murphee is a very week-ed ladee," she said slowly. "She run away from thees house and leave us all alone. We shall have no deener? Ah, that will be very sadlee."
They retreated from the dismal, deserted dining room into the hall. Immediately a door at the far end was thrown open and a flood of light poured from Mrs. Markham's sitting room. Then Mrs. Murphy's ample figure blocked the doorway, and in her rich Irish brogue she called:
"You poor little lost lambs, is it for me you're lookin', then? Here I am and here's your supper waitin' for you."
Mrs. Markham was away for the holidays.
"All right, Mrs. Murphy," called Molly cheerfully. Taking Otoyo's hand, she led her down the hall. "Why, little one, I don't believe you are well," she exclaimed. "Your hands are cold and you are trembling."
The truth is, Miss Sen was almost hysterical with suppressed excitement.
"No, no, no," she replied. "I am feeling quite, quitely well."
Grasping Molly's hand more firmly, she began running as if the strain were too great to be endured longer.