At the moment of which we are now speaking there were visitors at Surbiton Cottage, and the new nursery was brought into full use.

Mr.and Mrs.Norman of Normansgrove were there with their two children and two maids, and grandmamma Woodward had her hands quite full in the family nursery line.
It was a beautiful summer evening, and the two young mothers were sitting with Mrs.Woodward and Uncle Bat in the drawing-room, waiting for their lords' return from London.

As usual, when they stayed late, the two men were to dine at their club and come down to tea.

The nursemaids were walking on the lawn before the window with their charges, and the three ladies were busily employed with some fairly-written manuscript pages, which they were cutting carefully into shape, and arranging in particular form.
'Now, mamma,' said Katie, 'if you laugh once while you are reading it, you'll spoil it all.' 'I'll do the best I can, my dear, but I'm sure I shall break down; you have made it so very abusive,' said Mrs.Woodward.
'Mamma, I think I'll take out that about official priggism--hadn't I better, Linda ?' 'Indeed, I think you had; I'm sure mamma would break down there,' said Linda.

'Mamma, I'm sure you would never get over the official priggism.' 'I don't think I should, my dear,' said Mrs.Woodward.
'What is it you are all concocting ?' said Captain Cuttwater; 'some infernal mischief, I know, craving your pardons.' 'If you tell, Uncle Bat, I'll never forgive you,' said Katie.
'Oh, you may trust me; I never spoil sport, if I can't make any; but the fun ought to be very good, for you've been a mortal long time about it.' And then the two younger ladies again went on clipping and arranging their papers, while Mrs.Woodward renewed her protest that she would do her best as to reading their production.