Any coincidence of names, events or descriptions with real ones is pure coincidence. The story contains profanity..

Marina sat at the head of a long dining table all alone. In front of her stood a bizarre old-fashioned beautiful cup with painted flowers and a golden border. There was a saucer to match the cup - deep and also with an ornament. On the table there were three more similar tea pairs - one from the opposite end of the table and two in the middle of its long sides. Each of the cups was filled with strong fragrant tea, from which barely noticeable cobwebs of steam rose. Everything indicated that the hostess was waiting for guests.

But the hostess had no idea who she was waiting for. And she was not sure that the hostess was here at all. This was clearly not her home. It seemed that both these cups and the interior of the room were unfamiliar to her, although they evoked some kind of memories. Looking around, Marina began to learn something. Ah ... well, yes ... of course! It was a living room at her grandfather’s dacha, where she often hung out with him for weeks in the summer, resting from the city bustle. And this grandfather's tea service got out of the cupboard only for special occasions. “Yes ... there were glorious times! Five years have almost passed ... Eh! ... "- she thought out loud.

Since the table was set for special occasions, it must have been a special occasion! And if so, the first thing Marina was thinking about was what she looked like. Her hand automatically stretched her hair, and her eyes began to look for some kind of mirror. I must say that the outfit on her was not quite typical for country tea drinking.

The dress with lush short sleeves and a rather deep neckline with buttons, a corset tightening the chest and abdomen, had the same lush hem length just above the knees, consisting of starched lace, silk, crinoline and also God knows what. Long brown hair was loose in the background. And for some reason, her legs were bare.

Neither loose hair, nor, all the more, bare feet did not fit in with the image of a medieval blue-blooded princess whom her dress so clearly hinted at. Everything seemed strange, almost ridiculous. And in general, this whole story with a table, cups, and tea served by who knows how very much resembled an episode from a famous fairy tale.

Unable to find a mirror, Marina turned her head with caution to look at the wall clock, as she was afraid to see that same “six in the evening”, but the clock was about half past seven. It was already twilight outside. The windows were covered with thick curtains. Twilight reigned in the room, with which two dull wall lights fought sluggishly.

The hostess looked again at the clock, and then at the closed door of the living room, internally complaining that the tea had been served long ago and was cooling down, but the guests were still not walking. At this very moment, as if reading her thoughts, at first creaked, and then familiarly slammed the gate in the courtyard. Excitement overwhelmed the girl, because she still did not know who would come to her tea. What if it turns out to be a crazy Hatter with his retinue? And then what to do, how to behave with them?

After about a minute of anxious waiting, the living room door finally opened, and a stately, gallant man entered her unhurried pace. He was wearing a black cape, on his head the same black hat, in his hands - a cane. Following him, two more characters leaked through the door. Growth they were much lower than the first, both puzatchenkie, dressed much more modest, but in the same style as he.

The one that entered first, casually stretched a cane and a hat to one of his companions, and allowed the second one to take off his cloak, remaining in a long black jacket. While those two people fussily carried him, and at the same time his outer clothing in the hallway, the man, smiling affably, with dignity, went to the hostess.Approaching, he lifted his left hand behind his back, and stretched his right hand to the lady.

Marina responded to this gesture, also stretching out his hand. The man silently wrapped his cool fingers around her, bent slightly, touched them for a second with baleen lips and, without changing his position, raised a slightly crafty penetrating glance at the girl. She, somewhat startled by such exquisite manners, also looked at him.

Meanwhile, two stranger satellites returned to the living room, colliding in the doorway. Only now Marina considered that these two are surprisingly similar to each other. It was quite obvious that they were twins. Not only did they look the same, but everything they said and did, and they probably thought the same.

Having finally penetrated the doorway, they rounded the table and approached Marina on both sides at once. Slightly hesitated, simultaneously stretched out her hands in greeting almost as much as the first guest did. Kissing the lady handles, all three began to sit down at the table.

The one who came in the hat, and Marina silently called him the Hatter, located opposite her, and his two fat companions, whom Marina managed to baptize to herself, of course, Trulyalya and Tralyalya, sat opposite each other along the long sides of the table. An awkward pause hung in the air, everyone was waiting for some actions or words from the hostess, not daring to touch the tea served.

- Oh, what is it I ... Hello, gentlemen! Please, help yourself!

- Um ... Thank you! - the guest, who was sitting opposite to Marina, responded, with his usual movement he adjusted his small neat antennae and extended his hand for a cup.

- Yes, yes, very grateful! - picked up the initiative guest left.

- Thank you very much! - echoed his brother.

Marina also took a sip of strong and, oddly enough, still hot tea. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the girl began to consider the guests while they were blowing on their tea. For some reason, she began to think that these funny fat men and the gallant cavalier were familiar to her from somewhere, but could not understand where she came from.

The Hatter looked like thirty-five or a little more. He was no longer a youth, but still young, probably rich and clearly knew his worth. His companions looked older — about forty-five years old, but apparently occupied a more modest position in this life. On their heads, gray hair was already making their way, while the other guest's hair was thick, slightly curly and pitch black. “I wonder where I could see all of you? ...” Marina thought over to herself.

- And what are we drinking empty tea ?! I have jam! What you bring, cherry or strawberry?

- Is there an apple? - Inquired the guest sitting on the right.

- Yes, yes, we are very apple ...

- Do not worry, madam, - interrupted the Hatter, - sweet is very harmful, especially in the evenings! - he instructively added to his companions.

- Ooh ... and we love sweets so much! ..

- Yes, yes, we love dessert!

- Shhh! - I immediately snapped at both the Hatter, - everything has its time!

- Well, well, then let's talk! - Marina offered, rejoicing at the refusal, because she did not remember if there was apple jam in the house.

“As you wish,” smiled the mustache.

The twins, as if on cue, started a conversation.

- Yes ... spring is cool today! ..

—... has stood out! Not that word! I remember last year at that time everyone was walking without raincoats, and now ...

- Ehhhh ...

- Now, if the weather was warmer ...

—... we would have gone fishing long ago!

- And you, you love ...

—... fishing?

The question was addressed to Marina, but he was so ridiculous and sounded in the performance of this duet so funny that she did not immediately find out what to say.

- Fully you about any nonsense lady ask! - again interrupted their mustache brunet.

- No, why not? I love fishing! When I was small, my grandfather and I often went to her, for some reason the girl lied, she just wanted to somehow maintain the conversation, there was no good topic for it.

- Really, Marina? And I did not know that he was your fisherman!

Two ...