er were seen; and a supper was laid out which seemed to
have been specially planned for three hungry girls. Everything good, and
plenty of it.

"My!" whispered Peggy, "isn't this fine? But how funny to have no
table-cloth! We always have a red one at supper."

"Do you?" said Margaret. "Papa always liked the bare table."

"Will you take the head of the table, miss?" asked Elizabeth. "I have
set your place here, and Miss--"

"Miss Peggy's," suggested Margaret gently.

"Thank you, miss! Miss Peggy's at the side here."

"Very well," said Margaret. "We shall sit just where you put us,
Elizabeth. And Miss Rita will sit opposite me and carve the chicken. Oh,
here she is! Rita, are you accomplished in the art of carving?"

Rita, who now came gliding in, shook her head as she took the seat
appointed her. "I have never attempted it," she said, "and don't think I
care to try, thanks! Take this to the sideboard and carve it," she
added, addressing Elizabeth in a tone of careless command. The woman
obeyed in silence; but the quick colour sprang to Margaret's cheek, and
she looked as much distressed as if the rude speech had been addressed
to her.

Peggy stared. "Don't they say 'please' in Havana?" she said in a loud
whisper to Margaret. But Margaret rattled the tea-cups, and pretended
not to hear.

"Will you take tea, Rita, or chocolate?" she asked quickly.

"Chocolate, please," replied her cousin languidly. "I wonder if it will
be fit to drink? One hears that everything of that sort is so
frightfully adulterated in this country."

"It looks delicious," said Margaret, pouring out the smooth, brown
liquid. "Do you see, girls, what lovely cups these are? Look, Rita, they
are all different! I shall give you this delicate pink one, for it just
matches your gown. Such a pretty gown!" she added admiringly, glancing
at the pale rose-coloured silk and rich lace that set off the clear
pallor of Rita's complexion in a wonderful way.

"It is only a tea-gown!" said the latter carelessly. "I have brought no
clothes to speak of. Yes, the cup does match it rather well, doesn't
it?"

"And you, Peggy," said Margaret, "shall have this blue darling with the
gold arabesques. Surely, anything would taste good out of such
cups,--take care! Oh, my dear!"

Margaret sprang up and tried to recapture the cup which had just left
her hand. But it was too late! Peggy had taken it quickly, grasping the
edge of the saucer. Naturally, the saucer t