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The result was disastrous: the food made a bee-line for the ceiling, the drinkables flooded the already wet floor and our shoes, while cups, saucers, plates, and dishes were scattered to fragments. All that day we and every one were dreadfully sick; but what a contrast the next day was!
On the floor lay a skeleton doll, a toy tambourine, a whipping-top, and a wried tin whistle. There was one bedstead, and a bed made up on a mattress laid on the floor. On a round clothless table stood two plates, one with a piece of bread and butter remaining, and two cups and saucers. The fire had died out. A shrill voice was calling from below stairs. 'Mr. Bunce! Mr. Bunce!
They had made an excellent fire, and had set the kettle on it at about half-past five. So that by eight the fire had been out for some time, the water had all boiled away, and the bottom was burned out of the kettle. Also they had not thought of washing the crockery before they set the table. "But it doesn't matter the cups and saucers, I mean," said Mother.
But I know they'll none of 'em take my chany," she added, turning toward the cups and saucers, "for they all found fault with 'em when I bought 'em, 'cause o' the small gold sprig all over 'em, between the flowers.
And now, declining all Bellew's offers of assistance, the soldier and the sailor began washing, and drying, and putting away their crockery, each in his characteristic manner, the Sergeant very careful and exact, while the sailor juggled cups and saucers with the sure-handed deftness that seems peculiar to nautical fingers.
Then there are berry sets of a bowl and six saucers, both being turned to account for different uses, and costing in Haviland as low as $1.75. And there must be some small bowls or large sauce dishes for breakfast use, if our housewife is cereally inclined, and a china tile or two on little legs to go under the coffee and tea pots.
"A what?" The man's eyes became instantly almost as big as saucers. "A tipsy parson." "Who? Mr. Manlius?" was eagerly inquired. "I didn't say so. I call no names." "He was present, I know; and drank wine, I am told, like a fish." "I wasn't aware before that fishes drank wine," said the man gravely. "It was Manlius, wasn't it?" urged the other. "I call no names," was repeated.
Gravely he set upon the table a pot of chocolate, two dainty cups and saucers and a plate containing four rolls. "Where's the butter, Nicolas?" asked Harry. "Butter, caballero? I did not understand that you wished it. I will get it. I will run all the way to the kitchen and back." "Never mind the butter this morning, Nicolas," spoke up Tom, at the same time kicking Harry gently under the table.
The cribs, too, were now, in the absence of the cows, occupied with various little étagères, and sets of shelves, which were covered with fancy cups and saucers, china images, and curiosities of all sorts, the Dutch housewives taking a special pride in the collection of such things.
All the seats were taken by storm; groups blocked up the paths, where the promenaders paused every now and then, flowing back around the successful bits of bronze and marble. From the crowded buffet there arose a loud buzzing, a clatter of saucers and spoons which mingled with the throb of life pervading the vast nave.
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