mind, dear," said her ladyship, going at him like a soft ball,
and giving him a loud kiss. "Matty, where's my keys?"

"In your basket, dear," said Miss Matilda, pecking her sister-in-law
softly on the forehead.

"So they are, dear," said her ladyship, rattling open the tea-caddy, and
shovelling the tea into the silver pot.

"Er-rum, er-rum!" coughed Sir Hampton, clearing his throat.

His sister fell into an attitude of attention, with one thin finger
pressed into her yellow cheek.

"Er-rum," said Sir Hampton. "Punctuality, Lady Rea, is a necessity in
an establishment like ours, and--"

"Now don't be so particular, Hampy," said her ladyship, watching the
boiling water run into the teapot. "It's like having crumbs in bed with
you. Ring the bell, Matty."

"But, my dear," began Sir Hampton, pompously, "with people in our
position--"

The door opened and Edward appeared.

"Tell cook to poach the eggs and grill the cold turkey, Edward."

"Yes, my lady."

"And where are the young--oh, dear me! bring a cloth; there's that
stupid teapot running over again."

"Turn off the water, dear," said Miss Matilda, with the suffering look
of one who had been longing to make the tea herself.

"Oh yes, of course!" said her ladyship. "Quick, Edward, bring a cloth
and sop up this mess."

"Yes, m' lady."

Sir Hampton rustled his paper very loudly, rolled his head in his cravat
till it crackled again, and looked cross. Then he strode to the table,
took his seat, and began methodically to open the letter-bag and sort
the letters; and then, in the midst of the sopping process and the
exclamations of her ladyship, a door was heard to open, steps pattered
over the hall floor, there was a babble of pleasant voices, a scuffling
as of hats and baskets being thrown on to a table, and then the
breakfast-room door opened, and two young girls hurried into the room.

"Nearly twenty minutes past nine, my dears," said Sir Hampton,
consulting his watch.

"Ah! so late, papa?" said one, hurrying up to kiss Lady Rea, and receive
a hearty hug in return.

"Oh, never mind," said the other, following her sister's suit, and
vigorously returning the maternal hug. "We've had such a jolly walk.
Oh, ma, how well you look this morning!"

"Do I, my love? There, Edward--that will do. Now, the poached eggs and
the turkey, quick!"

"Yes, m' lady," said Edward.

And he disappeared, as Sir Hampton was forgetting to be stiff for a few
minutes