"No, no, Frances, you must not help yourself, you know; wait until we all begin in order."
Frances very reluctantly withdrew her hand, and, whilst she waited, betrayed her impatience by a little jerking motion of the body, that threw her breast against the table, as if she would beat time into quicker motion.
"O we must not forget William!" Anne exclaimed; "where is he? he must taste our feast; stay here, Mary, with Frances, and I will go and find him."
Away she ran, and left poor Frances in a fret at this additional delay, but she began to amuse herself by picking up the small crumbs that had been scattered on the stool, and at last proceeded to touch the beef and chickens.
"Do not do so, Frances," Mary said, in a reproving voice.
Frances colored.
"Do not sit looking on, if you are so impatient; employ yourself, and get a seat ready for William."
"You may get it, Mary."
"Very well; only do not meddle with Anne's feast."
Mary had to go into another room for the seat, and whilst she was away, Frances quickly helped herself to half of the pieces which were on the dishes, and, when Mary returned, resumed her position as if nothing had happened. Mary was so busy in arranging the seats, that she did not observe what had been done.