If she could deliver this information without gibes at other
people's ignorance she would, of course, be more agreeable; but it
is only justice to say that a person is rarely instructive and
agreeable at the same moment.

"It is settled, then, that we go to Clovelly," said Jack. "Bring
me the ABC Guide, please" (this to the waiter who had just brought
in the post).

"Quite settled, and we go at once," said Mrs. Jack, whose joy at
arriving at a place is only equalled by her joy in leaving it.
"Penelope, hand me my letters, please; if you were not my guest I
should say I had never witnessed such an appetite. Tommy, what
news from father? Atlas, how can you drink three cups of British
coffee? Oh-h-h, how more than lucky, how heavenly, how
providential! Egeria is coming!"

"Egeria?" we cried with one rapturous voice.

"Read your letter carefully, Kitty," said Jack; "you will probably
find that she wishes she might come, but finds it impossible."

"Or that she certainly would come if she had anything to wear,"
drawled Tommy.

"Or that she could come perfectly well if it were a few days
later," quoth I.

Mrs. Jack stared at us superciliously, and lifting an absurd watch
from her antique chatelaine, observed calmly, "Egeria will be at