ia to serve, seated about the board. All heads were bowed
while one of the brethren said a long grace and then the feast began.

True to the standards set by the majority of the Pennsylvania Dutch, the
meal was fit for the finest. There was no attempt to serve it according
to the rules of the latest book of etiquette. All the food was placed
upon the table and each one helped herself and himself and passed the
dish to the nearest neighbor. Occasionally the services of the three
women were required to bring in water, bread or coffee, or to replenish
the dishes and platters. Everybody was in good humor, especially when
one of the brethren suddenly found himself with a platter of chicken in
one hand and a pitcher of gravy in the other.

"Hold on, here!" he said laughingly, "it's coming both ways. I can't
manage it."

"Now, Isaac," chided one of the women, "you went and started the gravy
the wrong way around. And here, Elam, start that apple-butter round
once. Maria always has such good apple-butter."

Miss Lee's ready adaptability proved a valuable asset that day.
Everybody was so cordial and friendly that, although she was the only
woman without the white cap, there was no shadow of any holier-than-thou
spirit. She was accepted as a friend; as a lady from Philadelphia she
became invested with a charm and interest which the frank country people
did not try to conceal. They spoke freely to her of her work in the
school, inquired about the children and listened with interest as she
answered their questions about her home city.

When the dinner was ended heads were bowed again and thanks rendered to
God for the blessings received. Then the men went outdoors, where the
beehives, poultry houses, barns and orchards of the farm afforded
several hours of inspection and discussion.

Indoors some of the women began to wash dishes while Aunt Maria and her
helpers ate their belated dinner; others went to the sitting-room and
entertained themselves by rocking and talking or looking at the pictures
in the big red plush album which lay upon a small table.

Later, when everything was once more in order in the big kitchen, Maria
stood in the doorway of the sitting-room.

"Now," she said, "I guess we better go up-stairs and see the rugs before
the men come in. Susan said she wants to see my new rugs once when she
comes. So come on, everybody that wants to."

"You come," Phoebe invited Miss Lee. "I'll show you some of the things
in