Belinda sat with great dignity at the head , her hands genteelly holding a pink cambric pocket-handkerchief in her lap . Josephus , her cousin , took the foot , elegantly arrayed in a new suit of purple and green gingham , with his speaking countenance much obscured by a straw hat several sizes too large for him ; while on either side sat guests of every size , complexion , and costume , producing a very gay and varied effect , as all were dressed with a noble disregard of fashion . `` They will like to see us get tea . Did you forget the buns ? '' inquired Betty , anxiously . `` No ; got them in my pocket . '' And Bab produced from that chaotic cupboard two rather stale and crumbly ones , saved from lunch for the fete . These were cut up and arranged in plates , forming a graceful circle around the cake , still in its basket . `` Ma could n't spare much milk , so we must mix water with it . Strong tea is n't good for children , she says . '' And Bab contentedly surveyed the gill of skim-milk which was to satisfy the thirst of the company . `` While the tea draws and the cake cools , let 's sit down and rest ; I 'm so tired ! '' sighed Betty , dropping down on the door-step and stretching out the stout little legs which had been on the go all day ; for Saturday had its tasks as well as its fun , and much business had preceded this unusual pleasure . Bab went and sat beside her , looking idly down the walk toward the gate , where a fine cobweb shone in the afternoon sun . `` Ma says she is going over the house in a day or two , now it is warm and dry after the storm , and we may go with her . You know she would n't take us in the fall , cause we had whooping-cough , and it was damp there . Now we shall see all the nice things ; wo n't it be fun ? '' observed Bab , after a pause . `` Yes , indeed ! Ma says there 's lots of books in one room , and I can look at 'em while she goes round .
May be I 'll have time to read some , and then I can tell you , '' answered XXXXX , who dearly loved stories , and seldom got any new ones .
Bab Belinda Betty Josephus Ma door-step pocket-handkerchief skim-milk storm sun