she might have treated a child, an only child who needed constant
suppression.

"Please to be seated, everybody," she said. "Cap'n Obed, you take your
reg'lar place. Mrs. Barnes, if you'll be so kind as to set here, and
Miss Howes next to you. Kenelm, you set side of me. Set down, don't
stand there fidgetin'. WHAT did you put on that necktie for? I told you
to put on the red one."

Kenelm fingered his tie. "I--I cal'late I must have forgot, Hannah," he
stammered. "I never noticed. This one's all right, ain't it?"

"All right! It'll have to be. You can't change it now. But, for goodness
sakes, look out it stays on. The elastic's all worn loose and it's
li'ble to drop into your tea or anywheres else. Now," with a sudden
change from a family to a "company" manner, "may I assist you to a piece
of the cold ham, Miss Howes? I trust you are feelin' quite restored to
yourself again?"

Emily's answer being in the affirmative, their hostess continued:

"I'm so sorry to be obliged to set nothin' but cold ham and toast and
tea before you," she said. "If I had known you was comin' I should have
prepared somethin' more fittin'. After such an experience as you must
have been through this night to set down to ham and toast! I--I declare
I feel real debilitated and ashamed to offer 'em to you."

Thankful answered.

"Don't say a word, Miss Parker," she said, heartily. "We're the ones