The waistcoats of both bore floral devices in
primary colours, and the hands of both were encased in gloves of
white cotton.
Mr. Fogo took heart of grace and bade them welcome.
"'Tes a warm evenin'," ventured Paul, rubbing a forefinger round the
inside of his collar.
"Uncommon," responded Peter, addressing his brother.
Whereupon, as if by preconcerted signal, they faced about and made
for the two most distant chairs, on the edges of which they took an
uneasy rest. Peter had brought his hat into the room, and now, after
gazing at it reproachfully for some moments, began to stow it away
beneath him, doing violence to its brim with the air of one who does
not count the cost. He was relieved by Caleb, who bore it off with
the pleasant remark--
"Now, then, remember what the old leddy said to make her guests aisy,
'I'm at home, an' I wish you all were.'"
"Silence, Caleb!" said his master. "I--I think, as dinner is ready,
we may as well be seated at once. Will you take the head of the
table?" he asked, turning to Tamsin.
She blushed faintly and moved to her place. The Twins leapt up,
performed a forced march, and took the table in flank from opposite
quarters. Mr. Fogo looked around.
"If one of you would say Grace--"
"Tamsin says it at home.
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