The entrance of Jessie and Robert diverted his parents' attention.
Jessie stood in the middle of the room and slowly turned herself round that her family might see her from all points of view.
"D'you like it, Mamma?" she asked.
"Yes, Jessie," said her mother slowly, "I do. Miss White's done well. The skirt hangs beautiful, and I must say the Empire style is becoming to you, though for myself I prefer the waist in its natural place. Walk to the door—yes—elegant."
"Very fine, Jessie," said her father.
"Do you like it, Robert?" asked Jessie.
Robert put down his book for a moment, glanced at his sister, nodded his head and said "Ucha," then returned to it.
"You're awful proud, Jessie," said Alick; "you think you're somebody."
"Never mind him, Jessie," said Mrs. Thomson. "Are ye sure we've got enough cups? Nobody'll be likely to take both tea and coffee, I suppose? Except mebbe Mr. Taylor—I whiles think that wee man's got both eatin' and drinkin' diabetes. I must say it seems to me a cold-like thing to let them sit from eight to ten without a bite. My way was to invite them at six and give them a hearty set-down tea, and then at ten we had supper, lemonade and jam tartlets and fruit, and I'm sure nothing could have been nicer. Many a one has said to me, 'Mrs. Thomson, they're no parties like your parties; they're that hearty.' How ever'll they begin the evening when they're not cheered with a cup o' tea?"
"We'll begin with music, Mamma," said Jessie.