and then passed through the office into the house.

In a few minutes he returned, saying:

"Mr. Worth, the ladies bid me say that they had kept supper waiting
for you, and they hope you will do them the favor to come in and
partake of it, as it is your last evening at home for some time. And
they will also be very much gratified if your friends will come and
sup with you on this occasion."

"Will you come, judge? And you, too, gentlemen?" inquired Ishmael,
turning to his companions, who all three bowed assent.

"Return to the ladies and say that I thank them very much for their
kindness, and that we will come with pleasure," he said to the
professor.

And then with a smile and a bow, and a request to be excused for a
few minutes, Ishmael passed into his bedroom to make some little
change in his toilet for the evening.

When he rejoined his friends they went into the supper-room, where
they found an elegant and luxurious feast laid; and the two fair old
ladies, in their soft, plain, gray mousseline dresses and delicate
lace caps, waiting to do the honors. These maiden ladies, with their
refinement, intelligence, and benevolence, had completely won the
affections of Ishmael, who loved them with a filial reverence.

There was no one else present in the room except themselves and a
waiter.