em two didn't know what they ate, for they were all the time
talking about the war and bombs and Gettysburg and France till I didn't
know what they meant.'"

"My, I'm glad for Granny and Old Aaron," Mother Bab said.

"And what do you think!" Phoebe went on. "They are changing the name of
Prussian Street, and some are talking of changing the name of the town,
but I hope they won't do that."

"No, it would be strange to have to call it something else after all
these years."

"I think it's a grand joke," said Phoebe, "that this little town was
founded by a German and yet the town is strong American and doing its
best to down the Potsdam gang. The people of Lancaster County are loyal
to Old Glory and I'm glad I belong here."

She appreciated her goodly heritage, not with any Pharisaical exultation
but with honest gratitude.

"I have learned many things, Mother Bab, and this is one of the big
things I've learned lately: to be everlastingly thankful to Providence
for setting me down on a farm where I could spend a childhood filled
with communications with nature. I never before realized what blessings
I've had all the years of my life. Why, I've had chickens to play with
and feed, cows and wobbly calves to pet, birds to love and learn about,
clear streams to wade in and float daisies on, meadows to play in, hills
to run down while the dust went 'spif' under my bare feet. And I've had
flowers, thousands of wild flowers, to find and carry home or, if too
frail to bear carrying home, like the delicate spring beauty and the
bluet, just to look at and admire and turn again to look at as I went
out of the woods. My whole childhood has been a wonderful one but I was
too blind to see the wonder of it. I see now! But, Mother Bab, I don't
see, even yet, that I should wear plain clothes. I've been thinking
about it lately. I do believe, though, that the plain way is a good way.
Many people enjoy the simple service of the meeting-house more than they
would enjoy a more complex form of worship. I feel so restful and
peaceful when I'm in a meeting-house, so near to the real things, the
things that count."

Mother Bab answered only a mild "Yes," but her heart sang as she
thought, "I believe she'll be plain some day, she and David. Perhaps
they'll come together. But I'll not worry about them; I know their
hearts are right."

CHAPTER XXXV

DAVID'S SHARE

ANOTHER June came with its roses and perfume, but there was no Feast