Mr.Weston was waiting for them.

"Well, young ladies," he said, "I have read my paper, and now I am ready to hear you give an account of your last evening's triumphs.

The winter's campaign is closing; every little skirmish is then of the greatest importance.

How do you all feel ?" "I do not know how I feel, uncle," said Alice, languidly.
"Alice has expressed my feelings exactly, and Mrs.Weston's too, I fancy," said Ellen.
Mr.Weston smiled, but said he should not excuse them from their promise of giving him a faithful description of the scene.
"Well, my dear sir," said Ellen, "I have a decided talent for description; but remember, Mrs.Weston, my genius must not be cramped.

Do not break the thread of my discourse by 'Ellen, do not talk so!' A Washington party is what you have called it, Mr.Weston, a skirmish.