said Penuel gravely.

"That's because you think Mother will scold. I'll stand up to her if
she do. She's always bidding us stand up to folks, and I'll see how she
likes it herself a bit!"

With which very dutiful speech, Friswith took her departure.

Penuel looked after her for a moment, and then, with a shake of her head
which meant more than words, turned back to Patience and the hymn.

"Now, little Patience, try to learn the next verse. I will say it over
to thee.

"`And in the presence of my foes
My table Thou shalt spread;
Thou shalt, O Lord, fill full my cup,
And eke anoint my head.'"

"Who be my foes, Pen?" said Patience.

"Folks that tease and trouble thee, my child."

"Oh!" responded Patience, instantly making a practical application.
"Toby and Silas, that is. But they didn't see you spread the table,
Pen. They were out playing on the green."

Penuel tried to "improve" this very literal rendering of the Psalm, but
found it impossible to advance further than the awakening in Patience's
mind an expectation of a future, but equally literal table, the dainties
on which Toby and Silas would not be privileged to share.

"I won't give them the lessest bit, 'cause they're my foes," said
Patience stubbornly. "You shall have some, Pen, and so shall Beatie--
and Abbafull, if he's good. He tied my shoe."

"Aphabell, not Abbafull," corrected Penuel. "But, Patience, that won't
serve: you've got to forgive your enemies."

"They shan't have one bit!" announced Patience, putting her hands behind
her back, as if to emphasise her statement. "Pen, what does `anoint my
head' mean?"

"Pour oil on it," said Penuel.

"I won't have oil on my head! I'll pour it on Silas and Toby. It'll
run down and dirt their clothes, and then Mother Pardue'll thwack 'em."

"Patience, Patience! Little maids mustn't want to have people
thwacked."

"I may want my foes thwacked, and I will!" replied Patience sturdily.

"Look at the people coming up the road," answered Penuel, thinking it
well to make a diversion. "Why, there's Master Benden and his mistress,
and Mistress Hall, and ever so many more. What's ado, I marvel?"

About a dozen persons comprised the approaching group, which was brought
up by a choice assortment of small boys, among whom Penuel's brothers,
Esdras and Silvanus, were conspicuous. Mr Benden walked foremost,
holding his wife by her wrist, as if he were afraid of her running away;
whilst sh