"Now!" said she. "We will rearrange the room. Bring that sofa from
the far corner to the other side of this window, and put the tea-
table in front of it. Put two chairs where the sofa was; arrange
the other chairs--" And she indicated the places with her staff.
While the room was still in confusion Mrs. Severence entered.
"What is it, Mamma?" she asked.
"Simply trying to make this frightful room a little less
frightful."
"Don't you think the pictures should be rehung to suit the new
arrangement, ma'am?" suggested Arkwright.
Madam Bowker, suspicious of jest, looked sharply at him. He seemed
serious. "You are right," said she.
"But people will be coming in a few minutes," pleaded Roxana.
"Then to-morrow," said Madam Bowker reluctantly. "That will do,
Williams--that will do, Betty. And, Betty, you must go at once and
make yourself neat. You've had on that cap two days."
"No, indeed, ma'am!" protested Betty.
"Then it was badly done up. Roxana, how can you bear to live in
such a slovenly way?"
"Will you have tea now, Mamma?" was Roxana's diplomatic reply.
"Yes," answered the old lady.
"Tea, Mr. Arkwright?"
"Thanks, no, Mrs.
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