a white top-knot and spectacles. The housemaid brought him in and
said, 'Compliments, and at what time was he to be fetched!' Mrs.
Alicumpaine said, 'Not a moment later than ten. How do you do,
sir? Go and sit down.' Then a number of other children came; boys
by themselves, and girls by themselves, and boys and girls
together. They didn't behave at all well. Some of them looked
through quizzing-glasses at others, and said, 'Who are those?
Don't know them.' Some of them looked through quizzing-glasses at
others, and said, 'How do?' Some of them had cups of tea or coffee
handed to them by others, and said, 'Thanks; much!' A good many
boys stood about, and felt their shirt-collars. Four tiresome fat
boys WOULD stand in the doorway, and talk about the newspapers,
till Mrs. Alicumpaine went to them and said, 'My dears, I really
cannot allow you to prevent people from coming in. I shall be
truly sorry to do it; but, if you put yourself in everybody's way,
I must positively send you home.' One boy, with a beard and a
large white waistcoat, who stood straddling on the hearth-rug
warming his coat-tails, WAS sent home. 'Highly incorrect, my
dear,' said Mrs. Alicumpaine, handing him out of the room, 'and I
cannot permit it.'

There was a children's band, - harp, cornet, and piano, - and Mrs.
Alicumpaine and Mrs. Orange bustled among the children to persuade
them to take partners and dance. But they were so obstinate! For
quite a long time they would not be persuaded to take partners and
dance. Most of the boys said, 'Thanks; much! But not at present.'
And most of the rest of the boys said, 'Thanks; much! But never
do.'

'O, these children are very wearing!' said Mrs. Alicumpaine to Mrs.