Page:Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag, Volume 2.djvu/216

198 button atop of the loaf like the grand Panjandrum in the old story."

Thus Lavinia enthusiastically, as she led her flock of two into the eating-room at luncheon time. Being seated at a little table by one of the great windows, the old lady continued to sing the praises of Britannia while waiting for the repast.

"Isn't this better than a stone-floored café, with nine clocks all wrong, seven mirrors all cracked, much drapery all dirty, a flock of tousled garçons who fly about like lunatics, and food which I shudder to think of? Look at this lofty room; this grave, thick carpet; that cheerful coal-fire; these neat little tables; these large, clean windows; these quiet, ministerial waiters, who seem to take a paternal interest in your wants, and best of all in this simple, wholesome, well-cooked food."

Here the arrival of a glorified beefsteak and a shining pint-pot of foaming ale gave an appropriate finish to Livy's lecture. She fell upon her lunch like a famished woman, and was speechless till much meat had vanished, and the ale was low in the pot.

"It is good," admitted Amanda, who took to her