While waiting the coming of her ladyship, Sir Hampton, a staunch Conservative, skimmed the cream of a tremendously Liberal leader, grew redder in the face, punched the paper in its Liberal wind to double it up, and then went on with it, shaking his head fiercely, as his sister smoothed her mittens and watched him furtively, till the door opened with a snatch, and a little round, plump body, very badly dressed, and, so to speak, walking beneath a ribbon and lace structure, which she bore upon her head as if it were something to sell, bobbed into the room. Description of people is absolutely necessary on the first introduction, so a few words must be said about Lady Frances Rea. She was what vulgar people would have termed "crumby;" but, literally, she was a plump little body of forty, who, born a baby, seemed to have remained unaltered save as to size. She was pink, and fair, and creamy, and soft, and had dimples in every place where a dimple was possible; her eyes were bright, teeth good, her hair a nice brown, and in short she seemed as if she had always lived on milk, and was brimming with the milk of human kindness still. "Ten minutes past nine, Fanny," said Sir Hampton, pompously, after a struggle with a watch that did not want to be consulted. "Never mind, dear," said her ladyship, going at him like a soft ball, and giving him a loud kiss. "Matty, where's my keys?" "In your basket, dear," said Miss Matilda, pecking her sister-in-law softly on the forehead. "So they are, dear," said her ladyship, rattling open the tea-caddy, and shovelling the tea into the silver pot. "Er-rum, er-rum!" coughed Sir Hampton, clearing his throat. His sister fell into an attitude of attention, with one thin finger pressed into her yellow cheek. "Er-rum," said Sir Hampton. "Punctuality, Lady Rea, is a necessity in an establishment like ours, and--" "Now don't be so particular, Hampy," said her ladyship, watching the boiling water run into the teapot. "It's like having crumbs in bed with you. Ring the bell, Matty." "But, my dear," began Sir Hampton, pompously, "with people in our position--" The door opened and Edward appeared. "Tell cook to poach the eggs and grill the cold turkey, Edward." "Yes, my lady." "And where are the young--oh, dear me! bring a cloth; there's that stupid teapot running over again." "Turn off the water, dear," said Miss Matilda, with the suffering look of one who had been longing to make the tea herself. "Oh yes, of course!" said her ladyship. "Quick, Edward, bring a cloth and sop up this mess." "Yes, m' lady."