So the tea-party was a party of four, the respective husbands of the two ladies not yet having returned from their duties at the Osierfield.
"I hope that you'll all make yourselves welcome," said the hostess, after they had sat down at the festive board.

"Master Christopher, my dear, will you kindly ask a blessing ?" Christopher asked a blessing as kindly as he could, and Mrs.Bateson continued: "Well, to be sure, it is a pleasure to see you looking so tall and strong, Master Christopher, after all your schooling.

I'm not in favour of much schooling myself, as I think it hinders young folks from growing, and puts them off their vittles; but you give the contradiction to that notion--doesn't he, Mrs.Hankey ?" Mrs.Hankey shook her head.

It was her rule in life never to look on the bright side of things; she considered that to do so was what she called "tempting Providence." Her theory appeared to be that as long as Providence saw you were miserable, that Power was comfortable about you and let you alone; but if Providence discovered you could bear more sorrow than you were then bearing, you were at once supplied with that little more.

Naturally, therefore, her object was to convince Providence that her cup of misery was full.