′To see her when she is tearing about, neglecting everything else, you would suppose her to be at least good-humoured. But bless you! ma′am, she is as pert and flouncing a minx as ever you met with in all your days!′
′You must have a great deal of trouble with them, ma′am,′ said Mrs. Orange.
′Ah, I have, indeed, ma′am!′ said Mrs. Lemon. ′What with their tempers, what with their quarrels, what with their never knowing what′s good for them, and what with their always wanting to domineer, deliver me from these unreasonable children!′
′Well, I wish you good-morning, ma′am,′ said Mrs. Orange.
′Well, I wish you good-morning, ma′am,′ said Mrs. Lemon.
So Mrs. Orange took up her baby and went home, and told the family that plagued her so that they were all going to be sent to school. They said they didn′t want to go to school; but she packed up their boxes, and packed them off.
′O dear me, dear me! Rest and be thankful!′ said Mrs. Orange, throwing herself back in her little arm-chair. ′Those troublesome troubles are got rid of, please the pigs!′
Just then another lady, named Mrs. Alicumpaine, came calling at the street-door with a ring-ting-ting.
′My dear Mrs. Alicumpaine,′ said Mrs. Orange, ′how do you do? Pray stay to dinner. We have but a simple joint of sweet-stuff, followed by a plain dish of bread and treacle; but, if you will take us as you find us, it will be SO kind!′
′Don′t mention it,′ said Mrs. Alicumpaine. ′I shall be too glad. But what do you think I have come for, ma′am? Guess, ma′am.′
′I really cannot guess, ma′am,′ said Mrs. Orange.
′Why, I am going to have a small juvenile party to-night,′ said Mrs. Alicumpaine; ′and if you and Mr. Orange and baby would but join us, we should be complete.′
′More than charmed, I am sure!′ said Mrs. Orange.
′So kind of you!′ said Mrs. Alicumpaine. ′But I hope the children won′t bore you?′
′Dear things! Not at all,′ said Mrs. Orange. ′I dote upon them.′
Mr. Orange here came home from the city; and he came, too, with a ring-ting-ting.
′James love,′ said Mrs. Orange, ′you look tired. What has been doing in the city to-day?′
′Trap, bat, and ball, my dear,′ said Mr. Orange, ′and it knocks a man up.′
′That dreadfully anxious city, ma′am,′ said Mrs. Orange to Mrs. Alicumpaine; ′so wearing, is it not?′
′O, so trying!′ said Mrs. Alicumpaine. ′John has lately been speculating in the peg-top ring; and I often say to him at night, "John, IS the result worth the wear and tear?"′
Dinner was ready by this time: so they sat down to dinner; and while Mr. Orange carved the joint of sweet-stuff, he said, ′It′s a poor heart that never rejoices. Jane, go down to the cellar, and fetch a bottle of the Upest ginger-beer.′
At tea-time, Mr. and Mrs. Orange, and baby, and Mrs. Alicumpaine went off to Mrs. Alicumpaine′s house. The children had not come yet; but the ball-room was ready for them, decorated with paper flowers.
′How very sweet!′ said Mrs. Orange. ′The dear things! How pleased they will be!′
′I don′t care for children myself,′ said Mr. Orange, gaping.
′Not for girls?′ said Mrs. Alicumpaine. ′Come! you care for girls?′
Mr. Orange shook his head, and gaped again. ′Frivolous and vain, ma′am.′
′My dear James,′ cried Mrs. Orange, who had been peeping about, ′do look here.
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