Their usual vivacity had vanished, and, as they seated themselves at the table, they hung their heads like hyacinths nipped by the frost.
Elsli sat next to Fred; her cheeks were glowing with exercise, for she had had to run fast all the way home to be in time for supper.

She, too, hung her head over her plate to hide her heated face.
Emma and Fani were not there.
Mrs.Stanhope looked silently first at the empty places, then at the children.
Clarissa watched the door uneasily; no one came.
"I am willing to allow children all possible freedom," said Mrs.
Stanhope, seriously; "but the order of the house must be maintained.

I am very much annoyed at unpunctuality at meals.

Fani has never allowed himself any such irregularity.

I wonder how it happened now." She looked from one brother to another as if expecting some explanation.
They looked so uncomfortable that she took it as a sign of regret for their sister's delinquency, and so forbore farther remark.
After supper, Mrs.Stanhope went out as usual on the terrace, and the others followed.