"Yaas, I reckon. Dere, you's done finished, Miss Gracie, and looks sweet
as a rosebud."

"So she does," said Lulu, coming hurrying in from her room, arrayed in
her pretty cashmere, and with a wide, rich sash-ribbon in her hand.
"Now, Agnes, if you will please tie my sash, I'll be 'done finished'
too."

"O Lu!" exclaimed Grace in loving admiration, "I'm sure you must look
twice as sweet and pretty as I do."

Their father opened the door, and stepped in just in time to hear her
words, and, glancing smilingly from one to the other, said, "To papa's
eyes, both his dear little girls look sweet and lovable. Agnes, their
appearance does you credit. Now, my darlings, we will go down to tea,
for there is the bell."

"Have the folks come, papa?" asked Grace, putting her hand into his.

"No, daughter: they will probably not begin to come for an hour or so."


"Then, are we going to have two suppers?"

"Yes, one for ourselves--the children especially--at the usual hour, and
a later one for the company. That last will be too late, and too heavy,
for your weak digestion."

"But not for Max's and mine, will it, papa?" questioned Lulu.