"I know you'll feel uncomfortable for a little, dear," Ida said,
dismissing the astonished maiden with a kiss, "but the strangeness
will wear off; and you'll see how much nicer it is."
One after another, all were dealt with in this way, presently with a
good-natured servant-girl's assistance, as time pressed. The result
was that a transformed company sat down to tea. The feeling wore
off, as Ida said, but at first cleanliness meant positive
discomfort, taking the form of loss of identity and difficulty of
mutual recognition. They looked at their hands, and were amazed at
the whiteness that had come upon them; they kept feeling their faces
and their ordered hair. But the appetite of one and all was improved
by the process.
"How I wish Mr. Waymark was here!" Ida said to her grandfather, as
they stood together, watching the feast. "He would enjoy it. We must
give him a full account to-morrow, mustn't we?"
"I forgot," replied the other. "I had a note from him this morning,
saying he thought he shouldn't be able to come."
The first shadow of disappointment which this day had brought fell
upon the girl's countenance. She made no reply, and presently went
to help one or the youngest children, who had spilt her tea and was
in evident distress.
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