Page:The Other House (London, William Heinemann, 1896), Volume 1.djvu/186

 XVI

" great cake has at last arrived, dear lady!" Rose gaily announced to Mrs. Beever, who waited, before acknowledging the news, long enough to suggest to her son that she was perhaps about to act on his advice.

"I'm much obliged to you for having gone to see about it" was, however, what, after a moment, Miss Armiger's hostess instructed herself to reply.

"It was an irresistible service. I shouldn't have got over on such a day as this," said Rose, "the least little disappointment to dear little Jean."

"To say nothing, of course, of dear little Effie," Mrs. Beever promptly rejoined.

"It comes to the same thing—the occasion so mixes them up. They're interlaced on the cake—with their initials and their candles. There are plenty of candles for each," Rose laughed, "for