I mildly suggested they had better bring their hats inside, but they insisted on "stacking" them, as the Field-marshal called it, in pyramid form on the hall floor; and I let them have their way.
"Come in," I faltered presently, when this little diversion appeared to be ended. As I led the way into the parlour my heart was in my boots and no mistake.
They entered, all coughing very much at the smoke. What a seedy, disreputable hole Mrs Nash's parlour appeared at that moment!
"I'm sorry the chimney's smoking," I said, "a--a--won't you sit down?"
This invitation, I don't know why, seemed only to add to the amusement of the party. Daly proceeded to sit down on the floor, no chair being near, and the Twins solemnly established themselves on the top of him. The others sat down all round the room in silence. What could I do? In my cool moments I had thought of one or two topics of conversation, but of course they ah deserted me now. All except the weather.
"Turned rather cold," I observed to Whipcord.
"Who?" exclaimed that worthy, with an alarmed face.
"I mean the weather's turned rather cold."
"Poor chap, pity he don't wear a top-coat."
"I say," said Doubleday, who had, to my great discomfort, been making a tour of discovery round the room, "rather nice pictures some of these, this one of Peace and Plenty's not half bad, is it, Whip?"
"Why you old ass, that's not Peace and Plenty, it's a Storm at Sea."
"Well, I don't care who it is, it's rattling good likenesses of them. Hullo, Twins, don't you be going to sleep, do you hear?"
This was addressed to the two brothers, from under whom, at that moment, Daly contrived suddenly to remove himself, leaving them to fall all of a heap.
In the midst of the confusion caused by this accident, it occurred to me we might as well begin supper; so I called the company to attention.
"We may as well begin," I said, "there's no one else to wait for. Will you take that end, Doubleday?"
"I'm game," said Doubleday. "Now then, you fellows, tumble into your seats, do you hear? We're jist a-going to begin, as the conjurer says. I can tell you all I'm pretty peckish, too."
"So am I, rather," said Crow, winking at the company generally, who all laughed.
Awful thought! Suppose there's not enough for them to eat after all!