"What's the word down there this morning, Norton?"
"I don't know, mamma; I've only been to see the horses. They are well."
"To the stables, have you been? Then do run and change your dress, Norton."
"Yes, and breakfast's ready, Norton," Matilda called after him. She slid off Mrs. Laval's lap and rang for it, and when it came up on the dumb waiter, she did York's work in setting it on the table with a particular pleasure. She began to have a curious feeling of being at home in the house.
"There is but one thing for me to do," said Mrs. Laval, as they sat at breakfast. "I must go down to the city and get a new houseful of servants, to do till these are well. But I'm in a great puzzle how to leave you two children. There will be nobody here; and I may very possibly be obliged to stay a night in town. It is not at all likely that I can do what I have to do, in time to take an evening train."
"I can take care of Pink, mamma."
"Who will take care of you?"
"I'll try," said Matilda.
"What can you do, to take care of me?" said Norton.
"You will want something to eat," said Matilda. "I think you will—before to-morrow night."