Then what was it the man saw which was funny?
"Only one pigeon pie in the house, sir," said he, trying to look very solemn, "and if the young lady will be pleased to wait, I'll bring it to her in a few minutes.

No such dish on any of the other bills of fare.
A rarity for this special day, sir.

Anything else, miss, while you wait ?" Mr.Parlin looked rather surprised.

There had been no good reason given for not bringing the pie at once; however, he merely asked Dotty to choose again; and this time she chose "tomato steak," at a venture.
There were two gentlemen at the opposite side of the table, and one of them watched Dotty with interest.
"Her mother has taken great pains with her," he thought; "she handles her knife and fork very well.

Where have I seen that child before ?" While he was still calling to mind the faces of various little girls of his acquaintance, and trying to remember which face belonged to Dotty, the waiter arrived with the "pigeon pie postponed." He had chosen the time when most of the people had finished their first course, and the clinking of dishes was not quite so hurried as it had been a little while before.