He
was afraid of mischief, he said. They trooped back to the
library.
"When are they going to begin?" said Nora.
"I don't know. Oh, by and by. I suppose we shall have tea and
coffee first. People at a party must get through that."
To await this proceeding, and indeed to share in it, the
little company adjourned to the drawing-room. It was filling
fast. All the neighbourhood had been asked, and all the
neighbourhood were very glad to come, and here they were,
pouring in. Now the neighbourhood meant all the nice people
within ten miles south and within ten miles north; and all
that could be found short of some seven or eight miles east.
There was one family that had even come from the other side of
the river. And all these people made Melbourne House pretty
full. Happily it was a very fine night.
Daisy was standing by the table, for the little folks had tea
at a table, looking with a face of innocent pleasure at the
scene and the gathering groups of people, when a hand laid
gentle hold of her, and she found herself drawn within the
doctor's arm and brought up to his side. Her face brightened.
"What is going on, Daisy?"
"Preston has been getting up some tableaux, Dr.
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