“Oh! yes, do, please,” added Matilda.
“Do, colonel; do, major, like good fellows,” urged Casey.
“Well, really, my dear, I don’t know what to say,” exclaimed Mrs. Bowdler, “but I fear we cannot get out of going to Lady Meath’s.”
“Oh! hang Lady Meath; you may go to her, I’ll come here,” laughed the colonel.
“It’s fixed,” said Casey; “and you, major?”
“I couldn’t say no to such a good offer. When I was quartered in Dum Dum—”
“Is this old fogy at it still?” asked Tim Rooney, emerging from the dining-room into the hall where they were now all assembled.
“We are coming to dine here on Christmas day, Mr. Rooney,” said Miss Beamish, casting a languishing look at him.
“Are ye? Thin upon me conscience ye’ll git a tail end of beef that will feed you for a fortnight—wan of me own cows. And all Mary here has to do is see that the wisps of cabbage is plenty.”
With great hand-shaking, and a general buzz of pleased excitement, the guests took their departure.