A minute later Liffie appeared with her mouth and eyes like three round O’s.
“If you please, ma’am, here’s Mister and Missis Dalton, as wants to know if they may come in.”
“Mr and Mrs who?” exclaimed both sisters.
“Mister an’ Missis Dalton,” repeated Liffie.
“Show them in—at once, child. Some ridiculous mistake,” said Jessie, glancing at Kate. “But, stay, Liffie;—you have no objection, captain?”
“None in the least.”
Another moment and Ruth appeared blushing in the door-way, with a handsome young man looming in the background.
“Mr and Mrs Dalton!” said the two sisters with a dazed look as they sank into two chairs.
“Oh no! darling Jessie,” cried Ruth, rushing forward and throwing her arms round her friend; “not—not quite that yet, but—but—engaged. And we determined that the very first call we made should be to you, darling.”
“Well, now, this is capital! Quite a picture,” growled the captain; “does more good to my digestion than—”