But in this she was disappointed.

Mrs.
Seal burst into the room holding a kettle in her hand, which she set upon the stove, and then, with inefficient haste, she set light to the gas, which flared up, exploded, and went out.
"Always the way, always the way," she muttered.

"Kit Markham is the only person who knows how to deal with the thing." Mary had to go to her help, and together they spread the table, and apologized for the disparity between the cups and the plainness of the food.
"If we had known Miss Hilbery was coming, we should have bought a cake," said Mary, upon which Mrs.Seal looked at Katharine for the first time, suspiciously, because she was a person who needed cake.
Here Mr.Clacton opened the door, and came in, holding a typewritten letter in his hand, which he was reading aloud.
"Salford's affiliated," he said.
"Well done, Salford!" Mrs.Seal exclaimed enthusiastically, thumping the teapot which she held upon the table, in token of applause.
"Yes, these provincial centers seem to be coming into line at last," said Mr.Clacton, and then Mary introduced him to Miss Hilbery, and he asked her, in a very formal manner, if she were interested "in our work." "And the proofs still not come ?" said Mrs.Seal, putting both her elbows on the table, and propping her chin on her hands, as Mary began to pour out tea.

"It's too bad--too bad.

At this rate we shall miss the country post.