alk. They were spared all necessity of exerting themselves in
conversation, for it went on very well without the aid of more than a
word or two from them.

"Do you think, mamma, the Andersons will come?" asked Sophia.

"Not before Sunday, my dear. The Andersons live three miles off," she
explained, "and are much confined by their school. They may possibly
call on Saturday afternoon, as Saturday is a half-holiday; but Sunday
after church is a more likely time.--We do not much approve of Sunday
visits; and I dare say you feel the same: but this is a particular
case,--people living three miles off, you know, and keeping a school.
And being dissenters, we do not like to appear illiberal to those who
are not of our own way of thinking: so the Andersons sometimes come in
after church; and I am sure you will accept their call just as if it was
made in any other way."

Hester and Margaret could only say that they should be happy to see Mr
and Mrs Anderson in any mode which was most convenient to themselves.
A laugh went through the family, and a general exclamation of "Mr and
Mrs Anderson!" "The Andersons" happened to be two maiden sisters, who
kept a young ladies' school. It was some time before Mrs Grey herself
could so far command her countenance as to frown with becoming severity
at Fanny, who continued to giggle for some time, with intervals of
convulsive stillness, at the idea that "the Andersons" could mean Mr
and Mrs Anderson. In the midst of the struggle, Mr Grey entered. He
laid a hand on the head of each twin, observed that they seemed very
merry, and asked whether his cousins had been kind enough to make them
laugh already. To these cousins he offered a brief and hearty welcome,
remarking that he supposed they had been told what had prevented his
being on the spot on their arrival, and that he need not trouble them
with the story over again.

Sydney had slipped out as his father entered, for the chance of riding
his horse to the stable,--a ride of any length being in his opinion
better than none. When he returned in a few minutes, he tried to
whisper to Sophia, over the back of her chair, but could not for
laughing. After repeated attempts, Sophia pushed him away.

"Come, my boy, out with it!" said his father. "What you can tell your
sister you can tell us. What is the joke?"

Sydney looked as if he had rather not explain before the strangers; but
he never dared to trifle with his father. He had j