Miss Lydia then put away her basket with cakes, saying, that should make part of the feast in the afternoon.
A half holiday had been procured for Gilbert, so that he joined the cheerful circle at dinner; and in the afternoon some young folk were expected to tea.
Miss Lydia, therefore, was abundantly busy in setting out cakes, fruit, &c. amidst which Sally’s little basket was introduced, and was to Lydia the most agreeable part of the entertainment, as it was connected with the remembrance of a benevolent action. As she was not big enough to cut the large cake which her Mamma had provided, one of her brother’s very obligingly cut some slices for her, which she offered to the company with great politeness and propriety.
Just before tea, a servant brought in a little box, and delivered it to Miss Lydia; she looked, and saw it directed to her, and very eagerly set about opening it; this was very easily effected, as the nails were not driven very tight; and on lifting up the lid, the first thing she saw was hay, that being removed, she found a complete set of doll’s tea-china, a tea board, an urn, a tea-chest, a waiter, a pair of tea-tongs, and half a dozen spoons; with a little note to tell her, that these were the joint presents of her elder brothers and sisters.
Here was a fresh scene of pleasure to the sweet girl: her presents were shown to every body; were admired; and her delight expressed in the warmest manner, yet not so as to importune or disturb any body by her joy.
The tea-chest was then filled with tea, the sugar-bason with sugar, the urn with water, and Miss Lydia made tea in a very composed and becoming manner. The evening was passed in cheerful and inoffensive amusement, where the chief contest was, who should please and oblige the other most.
CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH.
THE AGREEABLE TOUR.
When Miss Fanny had been two months with her aunt, her Mamma returned from her journey, and came to fetch her.
Not only Miss Fanny, but the rest of the family, were rejoiced to see her: the young persons asked her many questions; whither she had been? and what she had seen?