so little.

The next thing was to plan indoor amusements for the afternoon and
evening, as evidently the storm had put outdoor pleasures out of the
question for that day.

The call to dinner interrupted them in the midst of their talk; a not
unwelcome summons, for exercise in the bracing winter air had given them
keen appetites.

Some of the younger ones, who had particularly enjoyed the skating, felt
a good deal disappointed that the storm had come to put a stop to it,
and were in consequence quite sober and subdued in their demeanor as
they took their seats at the table.

A moment of complete silence followed the asking of the blessing, then,
as Edward took up a carving-knife, and stuck the fork into a roast duck
in front of him, there was a loud "Quack, quack," that startled
everybody for an instant, followed by merry peals of laughter from old
and young.

A loud squeal came next from a young pig in a dish placed before Mr.
Dinsmore, and the song of the blackbird from a pie Grandma Elsie was
beginning to help.

"'Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie,'" remarked Mr. Lilburn
gravely.

"'When the pie was opened the birds began to sing,
Wasn't that a dainty dish to set before a king?'