The footman started, and looked over his shoulder; then hurriedly
told Tommy just what he thought of him, and where he wished him;
cuffed him soundly, and returned to the house, followed by peals of
laughter, mingled with exhortations and imprecations from the angry
bird, who danced up and down on his perch until his enemy had
vanished from view.

A few minutes later the tables were spread with the large variety of
eatables considered necessary at an English afternoon tea; the
massive silver urn and teapots gleamed on the buffet-table, behind
which the old butler presided; muffins, crumpets, cakes, and every
kind of sandwich supplemented the dainty little rolled slices of
white and brown bread-and-butter, while heaped-up bowls of freshly
gathered strawberries lent a touch of colour to the artistic effect
of white and silver. When all was ready, the butler raised his hand
and sounded an old Chinese gong hanging in the cedar tree. Before
the penetrating boom had died away, voices were heard in the
distance from all over the grounds.

Up from the river, down from the tennis courts, out from house and
garden, came the duchess's guests, rejoicing in the refreshing
prospect of tea, hurrying to the welcome shade of the cedar;--
charming women in white, carefully guarding their complexions
beneath shady hats and picturesque parasols;--delightful girls, who
had long ago sacrificed complexions to comfort, and now walked
across the lawn bareheaded, swinging their rackets and discussing
the last hard-fought set; men in flannels, sunburned and handsome,
joining in the talk and laughter; praising their partners, while
remaining unobtrusively silent as to their own achievements.