Page:Ballinger Price--The Happy Venture.djvu/151

Rh bending over her sewing. "But it wouldn't have been so happy if the defender of his kindred hadn't slaved on the high seas 'for to maintain his brither and me,' like Henry Martin in the ballad."

"Oh, fiddlestick!" said Ken. "Who wants to loaf around? Speaking of loaf, I'm hungry."

"Supper's doing itself on the stove," Phil said. "Look lively with the table, Kirk."

Kirk did so,—his efficiency as a table-setter had long since been proved,—and Ken, as the weary breadwinner, stretched out in a chair.

"Did you happen to remember," said Felicia, coming to the door, spoon in hand, "that the Kirk has a birthday this week?"

"It has?" exclaimed Ken. "I say, I'd forgotten."

"It's going to be nine; think of that!" said Phil. "Woof! My kettle's boiling over!" She made a hasty exit, while Ken collared his brother and looked him over.

"Who'd ha' thunk it!" he said. "Well, well, what's to be done about this?"

"Lots," said Felicia, suddenly appearing with the supper. "Lots!"