`` Never mind , '' said Elizabeth . `` You know none of us really likes plum pudding . We only eat it because it is the proper traditional dessert . The mince pies will suit us better . '' We hurried the turkey into the oven , and soon everything was going merrily . We had lots of fun getting up that dinner , and we made ourselves perfectly at home , as Aunt Jean had commanded . We kindled a fire in the dining room and dusted everything in sight . We could n't find anything remotely resembling a duster , so we used our handkerchiefs . When we got through , the room looked like something , for the furnishings were really very handsome , but our handkerchiefs -- well ! Then we set the table with all the nice dishes we could find . There was only one long tablecloth in the sideboard drawer , and there were three holes in it , but we covered them with dishes and put a little potted palm in the middle for a centrepiece . At one o'clock dinner was ready for us and we for it . Very nice that table looked , too , as we sat down to it . Just as Alberta was about to spear the turkey with a fork and begin carving , that being one of her specialties , the kitchen door opened and somebody walked in . Before we could move , a big , handsome , bewhiskered man in a fur coat appeared in the dining-room doorway . I was n't frightened . He seemed quite respectable , I thought , and I supposed he was some intimate friend of Uncle Norman 's . I rose politely and said , `` Good day . '' You never saw such an expression of amazement as was on that poor man 's face . He looked from me to Alberta and from Alberta to Elizabeth and from Elizabeth to me again as if he doubted the evidence of his eyes .
`` Mr. and Mrs. Norman Young are not XXXXX home , '' I explained , pitying him .
Before as at for from into of so to with