`` I shall take her in . '' And Archie offered his arm with great dignity , an honour that made Rose turn as red as a cherry and long to run upstairs again . It was a merry supper , and the two elder boys added much to the fun by tormenting the rest with dark hints of some interesting event which was about to occur . Something uncommonly fine , they declared it was , but enveloped in the deepest mystery for the present . `` Did I ever see it ? '' asked Jamie . `` Not to remember it ; but Mac and Steve have , and liked it immensely , '' answered Archie , thereby causing the two mentioned to neglect Debby 's delectable fritters for several minutes , while they cudgelled their brains . `` Who will have it first ? '' asked Will , with his mouth full of marmalade . `` Aunt Plenty , I guess . '' `` When will she have it ? '' demanded Geordie , bouncing in his seat with impatience . `` Sometime on Monday . '' `` Heart alive ! what is the boy talking about ? '' cried the old lady from behind the tall urn , which left little to be seen but the topmost bow of her cap . `` Does n't auntie know ? '' asked a chorus of voices . `` No ; and that 's the best of the joke , for she is desperately fond of it . '' `` What colour is it ? ''
asked XXXXX , joining in the fun .
Archie Debby Geordie Mac Rose Steve Will colour first minutes