“Mrs. Jones has scrubbing done at a strange time,” said Eda, pointing to the implements before mentioned. “Hush, Eda! I’m sure that we have called at a very wrong hour,” said Fanny, pointing in her turn to the cake and candles. “Does not that look like a bidding of guests to the banquet hall?” “It does, indeed. What have we done, Fanny? How could we know of such preparations when the stupid girl said her mistress was at home? The idea of scouring at such an hour, too! Housekeeping should be like the mechanism of the clock—we know that it goes, but do not see the operation. When was our house ever seen in such a trim by visiters?” “In such an _un_trim, you mean to say,” said Fanny; “but pray do not laugh, Eda, it is like hypocrisy to do so now, that we have given ourselves the trouble of coming to see Mrs. Jones.” “You are too good, Fanny; but if you keep your face serious in that absurd way, striving to practice what you preach, I shall shriek out,” replied her sister. “Do laugh, if you feel like it.” “No, Eda, no!” said Fanny, trying to look grave. “Do not make me act rudely. _We_ have made the mistake, for we live in the country and hear none of these ‘fine ladies’ doings.” “Pshaw! Mrs. Jones cannot give a party without _my_ hearing of it; she owes me the invitation, and you also.” “I never shall expect one,” said Mrs. Hill, smiling, and the servant entered to ask “if Miss Seymour were in the parlor.” “Miss Seymour and Mrs. Hill,” said Eda, wondering what was to come next. “Well, then, marm, Miss Sarly say, (and I told her it was you and Mrs. Hill, too,) that she’s been busy all day, and can’t see no company. Here’s a ticket for you to come to the party. Miss Sarly say she never had no time to send it out in the country, but long’s you are here, she told me to fotch it down. They a’nt none for you marm,” turning to Fanny. This new way of sending invitations was, in reality, ignorance on the part of poor Mrs. Jones. She had not yet been out as far as Mr. Seymour’s country-seat, and thought it an excellent idea to take advantage of Eda’s presence in the house. The neglect of Mrs. Hill was intentional, as we have seen, but it was _now_ difficult to say which was most uncontrollable, Eda’s indignation, or her sister’s amusement. “I have a mind to send it back to her,” cried Eda, in French. “What gross impertinence!”