Hey I can't get away from this particular story so I'm going to continue it.
Ch 12
The adults sat down to dinner in the dining room while the children ate their meal in a separate section between the kitchen and the dining room.
Lillian and Laurie were talking about the day they would be allowed to eat at the adult table.
" And then we could wear our prettiest dresses!" Lillian exclaimed.
" My Papa says that when I get older I have to get a sooter." Laurie said with an air of disgust.
" Boy's are gross." Lillian agreed.
" Goss?" Joseph asked.
" Yes, you'll be gross one day too!" Laurie said.
Joseph and Peter happily poked their potatoes chanting "Goss! Goss!"
The dining room had no doors between the separate room so; naturally the adults could hear everything the children were saying.
" I remember when I thought boys were gross." Anita smiled.
" Well, obviously you changed your mind." William said.
The two girls continued on their girl talk and had noticed that Peter and Joseph now had the potatoes all over themselves and had spilled their gravy.
" Told you boys were gross." Lillian giggled.
She rose and went to alert the parents. The Adults were engaged in a conversation concerning Middleton place.
" Ana, The boys – they played with their food." Lillian said.
" Uh Oh lets see what trouble they've caused now." Anita sighed as Ebony followed her.
They were speechless, currently Peter was cramming his potatoes in Joseph's hair and Joseph was spreading potatoes on Peter's face.
" Goss!" They said.
" Yes indeed, no more for you!" Ebony said picking Peter up at arms length distance.
" Come lets get you cleaned up." Anita sighed.
The two women walked through the dining room as William and James gave them questioning looks.
" What happened?" William asked.
" They were playing." Ebony answered.
The Women went upstairs to clean the boys off, and Lillian and Laurie stood there.
" Uncle Will? Can we play outside?" Lillian asked.
" I suppose, but don't stay out there to late!" William called as the girls rushed outside before he could finish his sentence.
" Well, that went well." James smiled.
" Yes, and she's not even my own, I've three plus those two to handle." William sighed.
They could hear the laughter and shrieks as the girls chased each other. William glanced out the window. Laurie and Lillian were currently trying to climb to sit on the lower branches of the tree out front.
He didn't want to think what would happen if one of them happened to fall.
" James, I'll be back in one minute." He said.
He went through the back door and went to reprimand the girls.
" You two be careful, besides Laurie's papa will be wanting her to come home now." William said.
The girls gave a disappointed 'Aww' William gave a sympathetic smile and he and Lillian walked Laurie to the small house behind the larger house. They knocked on the door of the small house and a middle aged man opened the door.
" Good evening Colonel!" He said cheerfully.
" Good evening Thomas, were here to return your daughter," William said.
" Oh Thank you very much for having her over for dinner," Thomas said.
" It was our pleasure." William gave a small smile.
" What do you say Lauren?" Thomas asked his daughter.
" Thank you Colonel Tavington," She curtsied.
" Your most welcome, Miss Casey." He said.
" Good Night Colonel." Thomas said ushering his daughter inside.
" Good night."