Flora was too busy in determining what the Riverses might be thinking of her and her sister to give herself up to the enjoyment.
Ethel found a small boy looking ready to cry at an untouched slice of beef.

She examined him whether he could cut it, and at last discovered that, as had been the case with one or two of her own brothers at the same age, meat was repugnant to him.

In her vehement manner she flew off to fetch him some pudding, and hurrying up, as she thought, to Mr.
Charles Wilmot, who had been giving it out, she thrust her plate between him and the dish, and had begun her explanation when she perceived it was a stranger, and she stood, utterly discomfited, not saying, "I beg your pardon," but only blushing, awkward and confused, as he spoke to her, in a good-natured, hospitable manner, which showed her it must be Mr.Rivers.She obtained her pudding, and, turning hastily, retreated.
"Meta," said Mr.Rivers, as his daughter came out of the school with him, for, open and airy as it was, the numbers and the dinner made him regard it as Norman had viewed the Cocksmoor room, "was that one of the Miss Mays ?" "Yes, papa, Ethel, the third, the clever one." "I thought she must be one of them from her dress; but what a difference between her and the others!" Mr.Rivers was a great admirer of beauty, and Meta, brought up to be the same, was disappointed, but consoled herself by admiring Flora.

Ethel, after the awkwardness was over, thought no more of the matter, but went on in full enjoyment f the feast.

The eating finished, the making of presents commenced, and choice ones they were.