Fred, who had slid in unobserved through the half-open door while the ladies were bending over their work, and now going up to the fire stood with his back towards it, warming the soles of his slippers.
"Have you got nothing else for my breakfast, Pritchard?" said Fred, to the servant who brought in coffee and buttered toast; while he walked round the table surveying the ham, potted beef, and other cold remnants, with an air of silent rejection, and polite forbearance from signs of disgust.
"Really, Fred," said Rosamond, when the servant had left the room, "if you must have hot things for breakfast, I wish you would come down earlier.
"I should think you were an uncommonly fast young lady," said Fred, eating his toast with the utmost composure.
"Bravo!--bravo!" cried Fred again, and coming suddenly towards us and, planting himself in front of Monsieur Robert Darzac, he said to him:
"So have I," said Fred, "and it must be the same as yours.
The reporter looked gravely at Fred, who looked gravely at him.
It was powerful, Fred. 'Here is a jolly old grandfather'--that was strong, I thought--very friendly and natural.
'A reminder, Fred, for to-night--a small party of twenty, making two hundred light fantastic toes in all, supposing every lady and gentleman to have the proper complement.
Brooke chose Meg, Kate, and Fred. Laurie took Sallie, Jo, and Ned.
There you go!" returned Fred, croqueting her ball far away.
Jo opened her lips to say something rude, but checked herself in time, colored up to her forehead and stood a minute, hammering down a wicket with all her might, while Fred hit the stake and declared himself out with much exultation.