A patter of feet and there came into view two ladies, two ladies in hoopskirts, with white stockings and little black slippers laced with black ribbons, and flowered silk waists and flat, mushroom-shaped hats with streamers falling behind. They stood at the head of the staircase and stared down at the four below.
“It’s Milly and Sally Hooper!” exclaimed Tom.
“Did I hear someone whisper ‘The lady with the enormous feet?’” Milly Hallett wrinkled her nose and stuck out the tip of her tongue. “Sarah, my dear, the gentlemen aren’t so gallant as they used to be. Whoever saw neater, sweeter slippers than these we have on!”
Slowly, with a hand to each side of their skirts, which swayed like great balloons, the two girls came down the stairs.
At the foot John Tuckerman stood, bowing. “Ladies, you greatly honor my poor house,” he declared.
“Who is the gentleman, Milly?” asked Sarah Hooper, a black-haired, black-eyed girl with scarlet ribbons to her hat.
“Faith, I think it must be one of the comely Cotterells,” said Milly. “What a fine sunburn he has!”
“John Tuckerman, at your service,” said that gentleman. “Nephew of Mr. Christopher.”
Milly Hallett’s blue eyes danced with delightful mischief. “And Mr. Tuckerman, who are the three extraordinary young persons standing in a row behind you? They do look so funny! Such remarkable clothes.”
David looked at Ben, and Ben looked at Tom, and Tom looked down at his khaki trousers, which still bore patches of white and green paint acquired a month ago when he was freshening up his canoe.