"I hope your father and mother are well," said Skippy gravely.
"What? Oh, yes! They're all right. Let's be cozy and camp down over here."
"And your sister?" said the Gutter Pup with equal punctiliousness.
"Sis? Oh, she's fine and dandy," said Miss Connie, curling up on the sofa, after lighting the lamp under the tea kettle.
Skippy and the Gutter Pup after this irreproachable beginning, sat up stiffly and, retiring into a set silence, stared very hard at their hostess.
"You'll have a bit of chocolate cake, won't you?" said the young lady, wondering how to open the conversation.
"Thank you."
"And you, Mr. Bedelle?"
"Thank you."
At this moment the bell rang and the maid announced: