'O that's the way these people do things,' said Josephine. 'What I should like to know, is where the sleigh load went to.'
'Down various chimneys, of course,' said Dane.
'Do you know,' the lady went on, 'it is very mean of you, Dane Rollo, to have gone and married the only rich woman in our part of the country. You ought to have left her for somebody else.'
'If you would like a basket,' said Rollo coolly, pulling some of his wickerware into line, 'you may have one. I can afford it.'
'May I have one too?' queried Molly.
'Help yourself.Mrs. Powder, you are a housekeeperare there none among all these varieties that would serve a purpose for you? Mrs. Charteris, aren't you fond of flowers? I will bestow upon you this big flower-holder.'
It was one of the best specimens of the poor basket-maker's work, being a delicate wicker stand, pretty enough for the drawing-room or a boudoir. Josephine silently accepted the gift, looking at it with strange eyes; while Molly set about a search for what might serve her turn. Mrs. Powder sat as a spectator, curious, and at the same time amused.
'We have got more than baskets here,' Rollo went on, pulling off twine and paper. 'Here is a tea-kettle. Who wants this article? Here is an hour-glass.'
'O let me have that!' quoth Molly Seaton. 'I never saw an hour- glass before. What's this in it?'
'Minutes and seconds,' said Josephine.