To visit such a family, was to find one's self confronted by a congress made up of representatives of the imperial myths and the majestic dead of all the ages.

There was something thrilling about it, to a stranger, not to say awe inspiring.]--stand off the cat's tail, child, can't you see what you're doing ?--Come, come, come, Roderick Dhu, it isn't nice for little boys to hang onto young gentlemen's coat tails -- but never mind him, Washington, he's full of spirits and don't mean any harm.

Children will be children, you know.

Take the chair next to Mrs.
Sellers, Washington--tut, tut, Marie Antoinette, let your brother have the fork if he wants it, you are bigger than he is." Washington contemplated the banquet, and wondered if he were in his right mind.

Was this the plain family dinner?
And was it all present?
It was soon apparent that this was indeed the dinner: it was all on the table: it consisted of abundance of clear, fresh water, and a basin of raw turnips--nothing more.
Washington stole a glance at Mrs.Sellers's face, and would have given the world, the next moment, if he could have spared her that.