At last the supper was all set out in the hall, so that it could very easily be brought into the parlour when the time came; the waiter, with the best cups and saucers, which always stood covered with a napkin on the table in the front room, was carried away; the great pile of wood in the parlour fire place, built ever since morning, was kindled; all was in apple-pie order, and nothing was left but to sweep up the shavings that Mr. Van Brunt had made. This was done; and then Nancy seized hold of Ellen. "Come along," said she, pulling her to the window — "come along, and let us watch the folks come in." "But it isn't time for them to be here yet," said Ellen; "the fire is only just burning." "Fiddle-de-dee! they won't wait for the fire to burn, I can tell you. They'll be along directly, some of them. I wonder what Miss Fortune is thinking of — that fire had ought to have been burning this long time ago — but they won't set to work till they all get here, that's one thing. Do you know what's going to be for supper?" "No." "Not a bit?" "No." "Ain't that funny! Then I'm better off than you. I say, Ellen, any one would think _I_ was Miss Fortune's niece, and you was somebody else, wouldn't they? Goodness! I'm glad I ain't. I am going to make part of the supper myself — what do you think of that? Miss Fortune always has grand suppers — when she has 'em at all; 'tain't very often, that's one thing. I wish she'd have a bee every week, I know, and let me come and help. Hark! — didn't I tell you? there's somebody coming this minute; don't you hear the sleigh-bells? I'll tell you who it is now; it's the Lawsons — you see if it ain't. It's good it's such a bright night we can see 'em first-rate. There — here they come — just as I told you — here's Mimy Lawson the first one — if there's anybody I do despise, it's Mimy Lawson." "Hush!" said Ellen. The door opened, and the lady herself walked in, followed by three others — large, tall women, muffled from head to foot against the cold. The quiet kitchen was speedily changed into a scene of bustle. Loud talking and laughing — a vast deal of unrobing — pushing back and pulling up chairs on the hearth — and Nancy and Ellen running in and out of the room with countless wrappers, cloaks, shawls, comforters, hoods, mittens, and moccasins. "What a precious muss it will be to get 'em all their own things when they come to go away again," said Nancy. "Throw 'em all down there, Ellen, in that heap. Now, come quick — somebody else'll be here directly." "Which is Miss Mimy?" said Ellen. "That big ugly woman in a purple frock. The one next her is Kitty — the black-haired one is Mary, and t'other is Fanny. Ugh! don't look at 'em; I can't bear 'em." "Why?"