I tried to smile; but a smile was such a mockery of my real feelings, that every facial muscle refused to play the hypocrite.

The man was not welcome, and it was impossible for me to conceal this.
"A plain family dinner, you see," said Mr.Smith, as we took our places at the meagre board.

"We are plain people.

Shall I help you to some of the ham and eggs ?" He tried to smile pleasantly, and to seem very much at his ease.
But, the attempt was far from successful.
"I want some! Don't give him all!" screamed out the hungry child at my side, stretching out his hands towards the poorly supplied dish, from which my husband was about supplying our guest.
My face, which was red enough before, now became like scarlet.

A moment longer I remained at the table, and then rising up quickly took the impatient child in my arms, and carried him screaming from the room.