Theywereallverygay，laughingovertheirmistakes，gettinginoneanother’sway，rushingintothesitting-room，theirhandsfullofplatesorknivesorglasses，anddartingoutagainaftermore。MarcusandMr。Sieppetooktheircoatsoff。OldGrannisandMissBakerpassedeachotherinthehallinaconstrainedsilence，hergrenadinebrushingagainsttheelbowofhiswrinkledfrockcoat。UncleOelbermannsuperintendedHeiseopeningthecaseofchampagnewiththegravityofamagistrate。Owgoostewasassignedthetaskoffillingthenewsaltandpeppercanistersofredandblueglass。
Inawonderfullyshorttimeeverythingwasready。MarcusSchoulerresumedhiscoat，wipinghisforehead，andremarking：
“Itellyou，I’vebeendoingCHORESforMYboard。“
“Todertable！“commandedMr。Sieppe。
Thecompanysatdownwithagreatclatter，Trinaatthefoot，thedentistatthehead，theothersarrangedthemselvesinhaphazardfashion。ButithappenedthatMarcusSchoulercrowdedintotheseatbesideSelina，towardswhichOldGranniswasdirectinghimself。Therewasbutoneotherchairvacant，andthatatthesideofMissBaker。OldGrannishesitated，puttinghishandtohischin。However，therewasnoescape。Ingreattrepidationhesatdownbesidetheretireddressmaker。Neitherofthemspoke。OldGrannisdarednotmove，butsatrigid，hiseyesrivetedonhisemptysoupplate。