wild game ob warious
kinds, and oysters in warious styles; 'sides all de pastry and cakes and
fruits and ices, and--oh, I cayn't begin to tell yo' all de good things
the captain has perwided! dere wasn't never nuffin' grander at Ion or
Wiamede or de Oaks, or any ob de grand places belongin' to our
fam'lies."

Grace was a highly interested listener.

"Oh," she said, "I want to see the table when it's all set and the good
things on it! I wonder if papa will let me eat any of them."

"Maybe," said Agnes; "but you know, Miss Grace, yo's sickly,--leastways,
not bery strong,--and de doctah doan' let you eat rich things."

"No," returned the little girl, sighing slightly, "but I do have a good
many nice things; and I'd rather eat plain victuals than be weak and
sick. Wouldn't you, Agnes?"

"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.

"Yes, I fear so."

"But we are strong and healthy."

"And I wish to keep you so," he said pleasantly; "but you may rest
assured that I shall not deny you any enjoyment I think it safe to grant
you. Now sit down and be quiet till the blessing has been asked,"--for
they had reached the dining-room, and found Violet and Max there waiting
for them.

Lulu had overheard a good deal of the glowing account of the coming
feast to which Agnes had treated Grace, and, when at liberty to speak
again, asked, in a