Routine and order were scattered to the winds whenever
Mad Whately made his appearance, but the host's second thoughts led
him to remember that this visitation was infinitely to be preferred
to one from the terrible Yankees; so he threw wide open the door,
and, with his wife, greeted his nephew warmly. Then he shouted for
Perkins to come and look after the horses.
"Ah, mine uncle," cried Whately, "where on earth is to be found a
festive board like yours? Who so ready to fill the flowing bowl
until even the rim is lost to sight, when your defenders have a few
hours to spare in their hard campaigning? You won't entertain angels
unawares to-night. You'd have been like Daniel in the den with none
to stop the lions' mouths, or rather the jackals', had we not
appeared on the scene. The Yanks were bearing down for you like the
wolf on the fold. Where's my pretty cousin?"
Mr. Baron had opened his mouth to speak several times during this
characteristic greeting, and now he hastened to the foot of the
stairs and shouted, "Louise, come down and help your aunt entertain
our guests.
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