Paterfamilias is simply required to
find the provender and to carve it. If he does that satisfactorily,
silence on his part is not regarded as a great evil. Mrs. Tappitt
knew that her husband's mood was not happy, and Martha may have
remarked that all was not right with her father. To the others I am
inclined to think his ill humour was a matter of indifference.

CHAPTER XI.

LUKE ROWAN TAKES HIS TEA QUITE LIKE A STEADY YOUNG MAN.

It was the custom of the Miss Tappitts, during these long midsummer
days, to start upon their evening walk at about seven o'clock, the
hour for the family gathering round the tea-table being fixed at six.
But, in accordance with the same custom, dinner at the brewery was
usually eaten at one. At this immediate time with which we are now
dealing, dinner had been postponed till three, out of compliment to
Mrs. Rowan, Mrs. Tappitt considering three o'clock more fashionable
than one; and consequently the afternoon habits of the family were
disarranged. Half-past seven, it was thought, would be a becoming
hour for tea, and therefore the young ladies were driven to go out at
five o'clock, while the sun was still hot in the heavens.

"No," said Luke, in answer to his sister's invitation; "I don't think
I will mind walking to-day: you are all going so early." He was
sitting at the moment after dinner with his glass of brewery port
wine before him.

"The young ladies must be very unhappy that their hours can't be
made to suit you," said Mrs. Tappitt, and the tone of her voice was
sarcastic and acid.

"I think we can do without him," said Cherry, laughing.

"Of course we can," said Augusta, who was not laughing.

"But you might as well come all the same," said Mary.

"There's metal more attractive somewhere else," said Augusta.

"I cannot bear to see so much fuss made with the young men," said
Mrs. Tappitt. "We never did it when I was young. Did we, Mrs. Rowan?"

"I don't think there's much change," said Mrs. Rowan; "we used to be
very glad to get the young men when we could, and to do without them
when we couldn't."

"And that's just the way with us," said Cherry.

"Speak for yourself," said Augusta.

During all this time Mr. Tappitt spoke never a word. He also sipped
his glass of wine, and as he sipped it he brooded over his wrath.
Who were these Rowans that they should have come about his house and
premises, and forced everything out of its proper shape and position?
The y