Page:Carroll Rankin--Dandelion Cottage.djvu/327

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A Silence Explained
301

soup was very good indeed, neither seemed to really enjoy it.

"They just kind of worried a little of it down," said distressed Marjory, when she handed Mr. Black's plate, still three quarters full to Jean, in the kitchen. "Do you suppose there's anything the matter with it?"

"There can't be," said Bettie. "I've tasted it and it's good."

"They're just saving room for the other things," comforted Mabel. "I guess I wouldn't fill myself up with soup if I could smell roasted chicken keeping warm in the oven."

Although Mabel had asked to be spared passing the spillable things, it seemed reasonably safe to trust her with the dish of escalloped salmon. She succeeded in passing it without disaster to either the dish or the guests' garments, and her apron was still immaculate.

"Why," exclaimed Mabel, suddenly noticing that the guests sat stiff and silent,