n the table till the oven should be
ready, was pressing out the crust of a final apple-pie with a
rolling-pin. A great pot boiled on the fire, and through the open door
of the back kitchen a boy was seen seated on the fender, emptying the
snuffers and scouring the candlesticks, a row of the latter standing
upside down on the hob to melt out the grease.

Looking up from the rolling-pin, Creedle saw passing the window first
the timber-merchant, in his second-best suit, Mrs. Melbury in her best
silk, and Grace in the fashionable attire which, in part brought home
with her from the Continent, she had worn on her visit to Mrs.
Charmond's. The eyes of the three had been attracted to the
proceedings within by the fierce illumination which the oven threw out
upon the operators and their utensils.

"Lord, Lord! if they baint come a'ready!" said Creedle.

"No--hey?" said Giles, looking round aghast; while the boy in the
background waved a reeking candlestick in his delight. As there was no
help for it, Winterborne went to meet them in the door-way.

"My dear Giles, I see we have made a mistake in the time," said the
timber-merchant's wife, her face lengthening with concern.

"Oh, it is not much difference. I hope you'll come in."

"But this means a regular randyvoo!" said Mr. Melbury, accusingly,
glancing round and pointing towards the bake-house with his stick.

"Well, yes," said Giles.

"And--not Great Hintock band, and dancing, surely?"

"I told three of 'em they might drop in if they'd nothing else to do,"
Giles mildly admitted.

"Now, why the name didn't ye tell us 'twas going to be a serious kind
of thing before? How should I know what folk mean if they don't say?
Now, shall we come in, or shall we go home and come back along in a
couple of hours?"

"I hope you'll stay, if you'll be so good as not to mind, now you are
here. I shall have it all right and tidy in a very little time. I
ought not to have been so backward." Giles spoke quite anxiously for
one of his undemonstrative temperament; for he feared that if the
Melburys once were back in their own house they would not be disposed
to turn out again.

"'Tis we ought not to have been so forward; that's what 'tis," said Mr.
Melbury, testily. "Don't keep us here in the sitting-room; lead on to
the bakehouse, man. Now we are here we'll help ye get ready for the
rest. Here, mis'ess, take off your things, and help him out in his
baking, or he won't get d