Schoolboy Tom was quick with a suggestion.
"I say—tell you what! Do the surprise-party business, and take a hamper with us. . . . Only decent thing to do, when you march in four strong to another person's feed. Dennis would love a hamper——"
"Ha! Good! Fine idea! So we will! A real old-fashioned hamper, full of all the good things they are least likely to have. Game pie——"
"Tongue—one of those big, shiny fellows, with scriggles of sugar down his back——"
"Ice-pudding in a tin——"
"Fancy creams——"
"French fruits——"
"Crackers! Handsome ones, with things inside that are worth having——"
"Bon-bons——"
Each one had a fresh suggestion to make, and Margaret scribbled them all down on the ivory tablet which hung from her waist, and promptly adjourned into the kitchen to give the necessary orders, and to rejoice the hearts of her handmaidens by granting a day's leave all round.