“You have the greatest capacity for simple pleasures of any one I ever knew.  We shall accept your services.  Before you are through, you may find the task not so enjoyable as you think; but at the very worst we will give our help.”

“Thank you very much; but one ignoramus blundering in the kitchen will be better than three.”

Mrs. Flaxman looked greatly amused, but she very willingly gave her consent for me to come home while the guests were absorbed with their supper, and gratify my life-long yearning.  The others were quite as well pleased as I; and cook permitted me to concoct, unaided, some special dishes for our repast.  I laid the table myself, not accepting the slightest help from any one.  My cooking ventures turned out quite successfully, and after a while my preparations were completed, so far as was possible, until the finishing touches just before dinner was served.  I went and dressed myself for the evening’s entertainment.  I took equal pains with my costume, as if I were going to entertain a party of friends at home, and it may be I was foolish enough to have a feeling of elation that my Mill Road friends should see me for once dressed like a real lady.  The picture that my glass gave back when the pleasant task was all completed was comfortably reassuring.  Mrs. Flaxman I found waiting for me, when I went downstairs.  Thomas had brought out at her direction a huge, old-fashioned carriage, that in the old days they had christened “Noah’s Ark,” and into it we all crowded, even including Samuel, who had an ambition for once in his life to have a drive with the aristocracy.

When we reached the hall, we found it already crowded, although it wanted a full hour before supper was to be announced.  Mr. Bowen was doorkeeper, and on the table at his side I was glad to see a goodly heap of coin.  Mrs. Blake stood near, regarding the money with unconcealed satisfaction, which considerably deepened when Mrs. Flaxman stepped up and shook hands with her.  Daniel seemed to be master of ceremonies, and was walking around with a mixed air of anxiety and satisfaction.  The work was new to him, and he was somewhat uncertain all the time what to do next.  But on the whole he managed everything with good common sense.  He had the children seated directly in front of the tree, some fifty of them, he assured me.  Their faces were a picture of genuine childish delight.  Probably memory would hold this scene clearly pictured on some of their hearts long after I was sleeping under the daisies.  Long tables were ranged down each side of the house, on which was placed the food the people had come to enjoy.  We walked slowly past them, and were surprised at the judgment and good taste of the arrangements.  I waited until the children’s tea was over.  They were really the guests of the evening, and must be first served.  Then in the bustle of getting the table in readiness for the older ones, I made my escape.