"They are the only members of the family at home.

I am very sorry you have been victimised." "Tut, tut," said the duke, recovering his good-humour rapidly, "I don't mean to be a victim at all.

I mean to enjoy myself; so do you, doctor.
Girls," said he to his daughters, "you must see the youngsters through this.

Ha, ha! what is the rising generation coming to, to be sure." Arrivals now began to drop in smartly, and as Tom looked round on the gradually filling drawing-room, a mild perspiration broke out on his ingenious brow.
Jill had gallantly struck up her polka on the piano, but as no one listened and no one danced, she gave it up and returned to the support of her brother.
"It's going splendidly," said Tom in a stage whisper; "they all seem to be enjoying it." They certainly were--for as each gradually took in the situation, and received his cue from his neighbour, an unwonted air of humour permeated the room.
A few hoity-toity persons of course felt outraged, and would have ordered their carriages had there been any one to order them from.

The honest Raffles was, to tell the truth, secretly busy, on a signal from Tom, preparing for the banquet in the dining-room, and no other servant was to be seen.
"My dear," said Mrs Pottinger, in a severely audible voice to her husband, "I wish to return home.