"Why, my dear child, there are all manner of preserves, plenty of fresh peaches to cut and sugar down, and a large pound-cake in the house, and any quantity of bread can be purchased at the baker's." "Bread--plain bread!" rejoined Caddy, indignantly, quite astonished at her mother's modest idea of a tea--and a company-tea at that.

"Do you think, mother, I'd set Mr.Walters down to plain bread, when we always have hot rolls and short-cake at their house?
It is not to be thought of for a moment: they must have some kind of hot cake, be the consequences what they may." Caddy bustled herself about, and hurried up the maid-of-all-work in an astonishing manner, and before the company arrived had everything prepared, and looked as trim and neat herself as if she had never touched a rolling-pin, and did not know what an oven was used for.
Behold them all assembled.

Mrs.Ellis at the head of the table with a grandchild on each side of her, and her cap-strings pinned upon the side next to baby.

Esther sits opposite her husband, who is grown a little grey, but otherwise is not in the least altered; next to her is her father, almost buried in a large easy-chair, where he sits shaking his head from time to time, and smiling vacantly at the children; then come Emily and Charlie at the foot, and at his other hand Caddy and Kinch--Kinch the invincible--Kinch the dirty--Kinch the mischievous, now metamorphosed into a full-blown dandy, with faultless linen, elegant vest, and fashionably-cut coat.

Oh, Kinch, what a change--from the most shabby and careless of all boys to a consummate exquisite, with heavy gold watch and eye-glass, and who has been known to dress regularly twice a day! There was a mighty pouring out of tea at Mrs.Ellis's end of the table, and baby of course had to be served first with some milk and bread.