"Is nobody down?" cried she, sharply.
"I think not, my lady," was Martha's reply. "I have not heard them. I
have been three times in the young ladies' room, but they would not get
up."
This was not quite true. Martha had been in _once_, and had been
scolded for her pains. "None of them ever will get up on a Sunday
morning," added Martha; "they say, 'where's the good?'"
"Bring in breakfast," crossly responded Lady Augusta. "And then go to
the young ladies, and see whether the rest are getting up. What has the
cook been at with this coffee?" Lady Augusta added, when she began to
pour it out. "It is cold. Her coffee is always cold."
"It has been made half an hour, I know, my lady."
The first to appear was the youngest child of all, little Frank; the
next his brother, a year older; they wore dirty collars, and their hair
was uncombed. Then came the girls--Caroline without a frock, a shawl
thrown on, instead, and Fanny in curl papers. Lady Augusta scolded them
for their late appearance, forgetting, possibly, that she herself set
the example.
"It is not much past ten," said Caroline. "We shall be in time for
college."
"It is nearly upon half-past," replied Lady Augusta. "Why do you come
down in a petticoat, Caroline?"
"That stupid dressmaker has put no tape to my dress," fretfully
responded Caroline. "Martha is sewing it on."
Roland lounged in, not more presentable than the rest.
Pages:
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213