"Ruby will play with her doll here," said Mrs. Edmonds, "while I go and see how cousin Patty is enjoying herself, and then get dinner."
"Lettie, won't you please read to me?" said Carrie, as Lettie took a book from the shelf.
"Oh! I'll give you a book, and you can read to yourself. Your arm don't affect your eyes."
"But, Lettie, I've read all the books except that new one, and I do want to hear it."
"Well, I can't read so fast aloud, and I'm sure I get little enough time to read," and Lettie enjoyed her book alone till the dinner-bell rang. A step on the stairs and in came Rob with a waiter holding Carrie's dinner.
"Here is your steward, ma'am," he said, setting down the waiter with a flourish. Lettie took up the baby to go down-stairs.
"Oh! it's dismal eating alone," said Carrie.
"So it must be," said Rob. "I'll just ask mother to let me bring my dinner up here."
"Oh! How nice; do," and in a few minutes Rob was back with his plate.
Dinner was over and Lettie was busy helping her mother with the week's ironing. "Mother," she burst out, "I think it's just dreadful to have such a large family as ours."