“Bless his heart,” cried Mrs. Rushton delightedly, pouncing on this bit of ammunition to use in Teddy’s behalf when the time came.
Fred went to his room to wash and brush up, and a few minutes later the family, with the unexpected guest, were gathered about the table, spread with the good things that Martha had heaped upon it.
Last of all, came Teddy. Usually, he was among the first. But a certain delicacy, new to him, seemed to whisper to him to-night that he would do well not to thrust himself obtrusively into the family circle. Perhaps, also, a vague desire to placate the “powers that be” had made him pay unusual attention to his face and nails and hair. He was very well groomed–for Teddy–and he tried to assume a perfectly casual air, as he came down the stairs.
Martha caught sight of him from the kitchen, and shook her head ominously. She had heard enough to know that storm signals were out.
“Dat po’ chile!” she mourned, “he sho am goin’ like a lam’ to de slo’ter!”
CHAPTER VI
TEDDY’S BANISHMENT
Teddy slipped in like a ghost. That is, as far as noise was concerned. If he could also have had the other ghostly quality of being invisible, it would have suited him to a dot.
He drew out his chair and was about to sit down, when his father lifted his hand.
“Stop!” he said, and there was a tone in his voice that was not often heard. “You don’t sit down at this table to-night.”