“Jam?” inquired Parson.
“Generally,” replied Telson.
There was a pause. Then Parson said, “Fancy we’d better turn up. It’s only civil, when he asked us.”
“All serene,” said Telson; “if it is a row, of course it will come off in any case. And we may as well get our breakfast somewhere.”
With which philosophical resolve the matter had been settled, and the amiable pair parted to meet next morning after chapel.
Riddell spared himself the embarrassment of waiting to escort his guests to the festive board, and hurried off in advance to see that the preparations were duly made in their honour.
He caught Cusack wistfully eyeing the unwonted array of good things on the table, and evidently speculating as to who the favoured guests were to be. It was with some difficulty that the captain got him sent off to his own breakfast in the big hall, half bribed thereto by the promise of a reversion of the coming feast.
Then, feeling quite exhausted by his morning’s excitement, he sat down and awaited his visitors.
They arrived in due time; still, to judge of their leisurely approach and their languid knock, a little suspicious of the whole affair. But the moment the door opened, and their eyes fell on the table, their manner changed to one of the most amiable briskness.
“Good-morning,” said Riddell, who, in the presence of the greater attractions on the table, ran considerable risk of being overlooked altogether.