The morning of the twenty-eighth of August was as fine as heart could wish, and
the three sisters rose almost as soon as it was light, to fulfil their promise of
attending to all the small nondescript matters of arrangement, needful when a
large party is expected by a family not much in the habit of receiving company.
Katherine, who had quite given up all thoughts of equalling her elder sister in
talent, and who prided herself on being the useful member of the family, made
herself very busy in the store-room; Helen, arranged the fruit with much taste;
and Elizabeth was up-stairs and down, here, there, and everywhere, till it was
difficult to find anything which she had not rectified by labour of head or hand.
'Well,' said she, as she brought Helen a fresh supply of vine leaves from the
garden, 'I wonder whether Rupert will come in time. I shall be very sorry if he
does not, for he has done a great deal for the church.'
'Has he indeed?' said Helen, with an air that expressed, 'I should not have
thought it.'
'O Helen, how can you take so little interest in the church?' said Elizabeth; 'do not
you remember how much trouble Rupert took to find a pattern for the kneeling-
stools, and what a beautiful drawing he sent of those at Magdalen Collegia
Chapel? I am sure he would be very much vexed to miss the Consecration.'
'I suppose he might come if he pleased,' said Helen; 'but perhaps he did not
choose to get up early enough.'
'That is the first time I ever heard Rupert accused of indolence,' said Elizabeth.
'I do not mean that he does not generally get up in good time,' said Helen; 'he is
not lazy; but I do not think he chooses to put himself out of the way; and besides,
he rather likes to make people anxious about him.'
'I know you have never liked Rupert,' said Elizabeth drily.
'Papa thinks as I do,' said Helen; 'I have heard him say that he is a spoiled child,
and thinks too much of himself.'
'Oh! that was only because Aunt Anne worked that beautiful waistcoat for him,'
said Elizabeth; 'that was not Rupert's fault.'
'And Papa said that he was quite fond enough already of smart waistcoats,' said
Helen; 'and he laughed at his wearing a ring.'
