“What’ll we do to-day?” said Ginger the next morning.
“Let’s start with watchin’ the Punch and Judy,” said William.
“I’m not goin’ in no boats,” said Ginger firmly.
“All right,” said William cheerfully, “but if we find another dead crab I’ve thought of a better way of cooking it.”
CHAPTER XI
WILLIAM SPOILS THE PARTY
The Botts were going to give a fancy dress dance at the Hall on New Year’s Eve, and William and all his family had been invited. The inviting of William, of course, was the initial mistake, and if only the Botts had had the ordinary horse sense (it was Robert, who said this) not to invite William the thing might have been a success. It wasn’t as if they didn’t know William. If they hadn’t known William, Robert said, one might have been sorry for them, but knowing William and deliberately inviting him to a fancy dress dance—well, they jolly well deserved all they got.
On the other hand William’s own family didn’t ... and it was jolly hard lines on them (again I quote Robert).... Knowing that they had William all day and every day at home, anyone would think they’d have had the decency to invite them out without him.... I mean whatever you said or whatever you did, you couldn’t prevent it ... he spoilt your life wherever he went.
But the Botts (of Botts’ Famous Digestive Sauce) had a ballroom that held 200 guests and they wanted to fill it. Moreover the Botts had a cherished daughter of tender years named Violet Elizabeth, and Violet Elizabeth with her most engaging lisp and that hint of tears that was her most potent weapon, had said that she wanted her friendth to be invited too an’ she’d thcream an’ thcream an’ thcream till she was thick if they din’t invite her friendth to the party too....
“All right, pet,” had said Mr. Bott soothingly, “After all we may as well give a real slap-up show while we’re about it and swell out the whole place—kids an’ all.”