"There isn't room for us all at the table," said Mabel. "Dora, you had better let down that side leaf." "It's an afternoon calling tea, not a sit-down schoolroom tea," explained Aldred. "Three of you must sit in the cosy corner," commanded Dora, "and the other two may have the arm-chairs." "But mayn't we help to bring in the things?" "No, you mayn't! Agnes, I wish you'd sit down! If you were paying a real call, you wouldn't bounce up and try to peep into the kitchen." "You came too early," said Mabel reproachfully. "We were going to have everything exactly ready for half-past four." "Well, you might at least tell us how you've been getting on. Has it been fun spending the day here?" "Simply scrumptious!" replied the trio. "I'd like to do it again next week!" added Dora. "It's the Fifth Form next Saturday, and after that it's my turn, with Phœbe and Myfanwy. When's this wonderful tea coming in? We're all waiting!" "We'll make it now," said Mabel. "Aldred, will you put out the spoons?" Dora had laid the best embroidered linen cloth on the table, set cups and saucers, and brought in the milk and a plateful of bread and butter. It only needed the teapot and the scones and cakes, therefore, to complete the feast. "I hope you've made enough to go round twice!" said Ursula. "Beautiful cakes, so rich and brown, Oh, how quickly you'll go down! Who for such dainties does not ache? Cake of the evening, beautiful, beautiful cake!" sang Phœbe, trying to out-Alice _Alice_. "How disgustingly greedy you are! I call it quite indecent. You don't deserve anything, except plain bread and scrape." Mabel crossed the passage laughing; but as she opened the kitchen door her mirth was changed to mourning. There, with his fore-paws upon the table, stood Raggles, the shaggy yard dog, devouring scones as fast as he could gulp them down his capacious throat. Mabel uttered a cry of dismay, and, catching up the rolling pin, which was the nearest thing at hand, flung it at the intruder, who snatched a last mouthful, and bolted hastily through the back door. "Oh, Dora! Aldred! Come and see what's happened!" cried poor Mabel, bursting into the sitting-room, oblivious of the fact that a model hostess ought not to air such domestic catastrophes in public. The visitors did not stand on ceremony, however, but seized the opportunity to make a dash for the kitchen, into which they had been longing to peep. "I never dreamt of Raggles coming in! I thought he was tied up!" wailed Dora. "We oughtn't to have left the back door open," said Aldred. "It was so hot; one can't have the place all stuffy! Oh, the wretch! I wish they'd choked him!" "Has he taken every one?" asked the disconsolate guests. "All except three, and as he seemed to be licking the whole plateful, I don't suppose anybody would care to try what he's left!" replied Mabel. "My lovely scones! And I had split them and buttered them!" moaned Dora, almost in tears.