“O, I packed it, mamma. I forgot I was to wear this dress.”
There was a general consternation at this confession, until mauma drew the missing article from under her shawl.
“Here ’tis, Miss Nettie. I ’spects you’d want it.”
“I’m ever so much obliged to you, mauma,” said Nettie, eagerly seizing the sacque, and putting herself into it, while Mrs. Hyde rewarded the faithful old colored woman with a grateful smile.
“I was so busy remembering for the others, mamma,” Nettie said, apologetically.
“Perhaps it would be as well for you to attend more particularly to yourself, my dear,” was her mother’s mild rebuke.
Mr. Nichols and the boys were busy stowing boxes and parcels in various hidden compartments of the carriage. Just as Mr. Nichols announced that they were ready to start, Eric thrust his head in at the door, exclaiming, funnily,—
“Mamma, Nettie is so anxious, suppose you all just feel inside your bonnets, to make sure that your heads are here?”
“Don’t detain us, Eric,” his mother said, smiling at the frank, joyous face.
“All right, mamma. This is my load: let me see,—Mrs. Hyde, Adele, Nettie, and mauma. Go ahead, Carl.”