“‘Why don’t you come along, Eddie? I mean to put you to work; you shall not be idle here. Take those eggs and break them in that bowl, and beat them well, while I get some flour and sugar; I am going to teach you how to make a real nice pudding.’
“I broke the eggs as she directed, and began to beat them very awkwardly, while I watched her beautiful form moving about like a fairy, her sleeves rolled up, exposing to view the prettiest pair of round, plump, white arms that any man ever saw. By the time I had finished beating the eggs she was measuring the flour into a tray.
“‘There now,’ said I, ‘my job is finished, Lottie; I think I have earned a kiss, and I demand payment.’
“‘I’ll have to give it to you, I reckon; I suppose I must be kind to my old thief, as he has been away so long.’
“Then she approached me, with her hands covered with flour, and held up her pretty lips to receive my kiss.
“‘There, now, go and grind some spice; be in a hurry--I shall need it soon.’
“‘Now go and tell the steward to have a small table carried to Viola’s room, and a nice white cloth spread on it; get four plates, four napkins, four goblets, and everything necessary for four distinguished guests.’
“I went to the steward, and he assisted in arranging the dinner table as Lottie had directed. This was the first time I had helped her to prepare a dinner since the old days of our tramphood, and it naturally caused my mind to stray back to those happy hours, making me forget the great troubles by which we then were surrounded. As soon as I had finished executing Lottie’s orders, I re-appeared in the cook-house, where I found her very busy with the preparation of the dinner.
“‘Oh, they are getting on splendidly, I judge from the appearance of things; the hanks were terribly tousled, the balls all scattered about on the floor, and Viola’s cheeks showed a little crimson tinge; in fact, she blushed perceptibly as I entered the room. Would you not say that was a favorable omen?’
“‘That was a skillful maneuver, Lottie, to put them to winding yarn; nothing could have been better.’
“‘I thought so; because if we can get them to talking freely all will come right.’
“‘They were conversing when I went in, and Viola dropped the yarn on the floor.’