"
While the children were having this little talk about politeness, Rudolph and
Mabel had climbed into the wagon, and the donkey, acting upon a suggestion
from Tattine's whip, had started down the roadway. The trio were off for
Patrick's, for this was to be the day of the Kirks' "At Home," and, dressed in
kis Sunday-best, Patrick that very minute was waiting at his door to receive
them.
Full two miles lay ahead of the children, and though Barney fortunately seemed
to be in the mood for doing his best, Patrick would still have a full
half-hour to wait. At last the donkey-cart drew up at the Kirks' door and two
happy old people welcomed three happy little people into their comfortable
little home. It would take another book, the size of this one, to tell you all
the doings of that August day. First they went into the house and laid their
wraps on the white coverlid of the great high feather-bed in the little spare
room, and then Mrs. Kirk sat them down to three little blue bowls of
bread-and-milk, remarking, "shure you must be after being hungry from your
long drive," and the children ate it with far more relish than home
bread-and-milk was ever eaten.
"Now I'm doubting"" said Patrick, standing with his back to the cooking-stove
and with a corn-cob pipe in his mouth, "if it's the style to have
bread-and-milk at 'At Homes' in the city.
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