Zealous indeed were the workers, and heartily did old Judith wish
them anywhere else, as she drove them, their lamps, their paste, and
newspaper, from one corner of the study to the other, and at last fairly
out into the hall, threatening them with what Missus would say to them.
At last grandmamma came down with a party of neat little notes in her
hand, to be immediately sent off by Martin and the cart to Allonfield,
and Martin came to the door leading to the kitchen regions to receive
his directions.

"O how lucky!" cried Queen Bee, springing up. "The cotton velvet for the
ears! I'll write a note in a second!" Then she paused. "But I can't do
it without Henrietta, I don't know how much she wants. Half a yard
must do, I suppose; but then, how to describe it? Half a yard of
donkey-coloured velvet! It will never do; I must see Henrietta first!"

"Have not you heard her bell?" said Fred.

"No, shall I go and knock at the door? She must be up by this time."

"You had better ask Bennet," said Fred; "she sometimes gets up quietly,
and dresses herself without Bennet, if mamma is asleep, because it gives
her a palpitation to be disturbed in the morning."

Bennet was shouted for, and proved not to have been into her mistress's
room. The charade mania was not strong enough to make them venture upon
disturbing Mrs. Frederick Langford, and to their great vexation, Martin
departed bearing no commission for the asinine decorations.

About half an hour after, Henrietta made her appearance, as sorry as
any one that the opportunity had been lost, more especially as mamma had
been broad awake all the time, and the only reason she had not rung the
bell was, that she was not ready for Bennet.

As usual, she was called an incorrigible dawdle, and made humble
confession of the same, offering to do all in her power to make up for
the morning's laziness. But what would Midas be without his ears?

The best plan that Queen Bee could devise, was, that, whilst Henrietta
was engaged with the other preparations, she should walk to Sutton Leigh
with Frederick, to despatch Alexander to Allonfield. No sooner said than
done, and off they set, but neither was this plan fated to meet with
success, for just as they came in sight of Sutton Leigh, they were
hailed by the loud hearty voice of Roger, and beheld him at the head of
four brothers, marching off to pay his respects to his Aunt Carey, some
three miles off. Alex came to hold council at Queen