"Why, of course, my dear child!" Uncle James exclaimed, to everybody's astonishment. "And have some yourself, Beth?"
"No, thank you," Beth answered. "I'm full."
"Beth!" her mother was beginning, when she perceived that Uncle James was laughing.
"Now, that child is really amusing," he said—"really amusing."
No one else thought this last enormity a happy specimen of her wit, and they looked at Uncle James, who continued to laugh, in amazement.
"Beth," he said, "when luncheon is over I shall give you a picture-book."
Beth accordingly had to stay behind with him after the others had left the dining-room.
"Beth," he began in a terrible voice, as soon as they were alone together, trying to frighten her; "Beth, what were you doing last night?"
"I was meditating among the tombs," she answered glibly; "but I never heard them called by that name before."
"You bad child, I shall tell your mamma."