She proceeded to set
another place at the supper table.
"Mr. Bangs," she said, "hadn't you better take Mr. Cabot up to your
room? Probably he'd like to clean up after ridin' so far. Better go
right away, because supper is nearly ready. Mr. Cabot, it is Saturday
night and you'll get a Saturday night supper, beans and brown bread. I
hope you won't mind."
Galusha's relative was somewhat taken aback.
"Why, Miss Phipps," he protested, "of course I can't think of dining
here. It is extremely kind of you, but really I--"
Martha calmly interrupted. "It isn't kind at all," she said. "And
it isn't dinner, it is supper. If you don't stay I shall think it is
because you don't like baked beans. I may as well tell you," she added,
"that you will get beans and nothin' else over at Elmer Roger's. They
won't be as good as these, that's all. That isn't pride," she continued,
with a twinkle in her eye. "Anybody's beans are better than Elmer's,
they couldn't help bein'."
The visitor still hesitated. "Well, really, Miss Phipps," he said,
"I--Well, I should like to stay. I should, indeed. But, you see, my
chauffeur is outside waiting to take me over to the Roger's House."
Martha smiled. "Oh, no, he isn't," she said. "He is havin' his supper
in the kitchen now. Run along, Mr. Bangs, and you and your cousin hurry
down as soon as you can."
On the way upstairs Cabot asked a question.
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