The table, truly, was there, as usual, with the breakfast-things on it, and there were husband and wife at either end; but the two side seats were vacant.

“Where are Joe and Foster, Maria?” asked Mr. Hart.

“I’m sure they’re up, father.  I heard them come down stairs an hour ago.”

“I can’t wait for them”—­

“You came home late last night, and they haven’t seen you since Annie went away.”  There had been a suppressed sound of whispers in the entry, and the door had been held open about half an inch by some hand on the other side.  It is possible, therefore, that Mr. Hart’s reply was heard outside.

“Oh, I see! it’s about Annie.  Look here, Maria:  they may have gone a little too far, but if Annie can’t take a joke”—­

“So I tried to say to her,” began his wife; but at that instant the whispers in the entry swelled suddenly to loud voices, and two boys came noisily in, and filled the side chairs at the table.

“Sit down, my dears,” said Mrs. Hart, with an admiring glance from one to the other.  “I have told your father about the sad trick you played upon your cousin.”

“Yes, you young rogues,” added Mr. Hart, with affected sternness:  “you have driven her out of the house.”

“Joe,” said the boy on the left, to his brother across the table, “ain’t you glad she’s gone?”

“You bet I am.  She’s too stiff and steep for me.  Spoiled all the fun we had.”

“And so you spoiled her cuffs and collars for her.  It was too bad altogether.  I’m afraid there won’t be much comfort for anybody in this house till you two get back to Grantley.”

“Fuz,” said Joe, “do you hear that?  They’re going to give us another term at Grantley.”

“I don’t care how soon we go, so we haven’t got to board at old mother Myers’s.”

“I can’t say about that,” said Mr. Hart.  “I half made her a promise”—­

“That we’d board there?” exclaimed Fuz rebelliously.

“Now, boys,” said their mother, in a gentle voice, that sounded a little like good Mrs. Foster’s; but Joe sustained his brother with,—­

“Prison-fare, and not half enough of it.  I just won’t stand it another winter!”

“I’m not so sure it will be necessary, after all,” said their father, who seemed to have dismissed Annie’s grievance from his mind for the present.  “Your cousin Ford is sure to go; and I’m almost certain of another boy, besides the missionary’s son.  If she gets a few others herself, her house’ll be full enough, and you can board somewhere else.”

“Hurrah for that!” shouted Fuz.  “And, if the new house doesn’t feed us well, we’ll tear it down.”

“If you don’t tear ours down before you go, I’ll be satisfied.  Maria, you must write to your sister, and smooth the matter over.  Boys will be boys, and I wouldn’t like to have any coolness spring up.  Mr. Foster’ll understand it.”

That was very nearly all that was said about it, and the two boys evidently had had no need for any hesitation in coming in to breakfast.