96 CAROLINE.

 

Augusta and Anne. The cake carried round.

 

“ Her name is Augusta,” said Anne. “She is afraid
of strangers.”

“ She looks pretty young,” said Livingston.

“Yes,” said Anne, “she is too young altogether to
come to parties, but then I had to bring her or else stay
at home myself.”

“ How was that?” asked Livingston.

“ Why my mother has gone away,” said Anne, “ and
left Augusta and me alone; and there was nobody
at home to take care of Augusta. So I raked up the
fire, and locked the house, and brought Augusta with
me.”

“ T shall have to run home a minute or two after tea,”
continued Anne, “to see if the fire ts safe, and I don’t
know what Augusta will say to being left here alone.”

“ No,” said Augusta, “ you must not go home.”

Just then Susan came by with two silver cake-baskets
filled with cake upon her waiter, and so in order to divert
Augusta’s attention from the subject, Anne gave her a
piece of cake.

The. whole party appeared to enjoy the tea-drinking
very highly,—the room being filled with the sound of
merry voices all the time. After tea the children went
out wpon the piazza and into the yard to remain there
until the tables could be moved away, and the lamps
lighted ; for now the twilight was beginning to come on.
In about fifteen minutes Susan came out, and after look-
ing about the yard until she found Caroline, she ad-
vanced toward her and said in a very respectful manner,

“The room is ready, Miss Caroline.”

There was immediately a general movement back to-
ward the house. Caroline led the way and the rest