not
an expert in gardening science. In the evening they sat out on the
porch, and a neighbor called perhaps. Or she walked over to South River
if it was moonlight. And, oh, how beautiful everything was!

But it was not all quilting with Miss Elizabeth. In July wild green
grapes were gathered for preserves. Cynthia thought it quite fun to help
"pit" them. You cut them through the middle and with a small pointed
knife took out the seeds. She tired of it presently and did not cut them
evenly, beside she was afraid of cutting her thumb.

Cousin Elizabeth went about getting dinner, which was quite a simple
thing when Chilian was away, and at night they had a high tea.

"I'll cut them," said Eunice, "and you can pick out the seeds. But maybe
you are tired;" with a glance of solicitude.

"Yes, I'm tired, but I'm going to keep straight on until dinner-time,"
she answered pluckily.

"You are a brave little girl."

But Cousin Elizabeth said, "Well, for once you have made yourself
useful."

There was a great point of interest just then for the people on this
side of the town. Front Street was the old river path that had followed
the shore line. One end was known now as Wharf Street, and was beginning
to be lined with docks. Up farther to what is now Essex Street there had
stood a house with a history. Its owner had been a Tory, and just before
the war broke out he entertained Governor Gage and the civil and
military staff. Timothy Pickering had been summoned to the Governor's
presence, but he kept his Excellency so long in an indecent passion that
the town-meeting had to be adjourned. Troops were ordered up from the
Neck and for a while an encounter seemed imminent. Later, when the
Colonists were in the ascendency, Colonel Browne's estate was
confiscated, and after the close of the war it was turned over to Mr.
Elias Derby. Now he was removing it to make way for a much finer
residence and, being a notably patriotic citizen, he did not enjoy the
stigma of a Tory house. Parts were carried away as curiosities, and
there were some beautiful carvings and fine newel posts that found a
place in new homes as mementoes. Afterward, Mr. Derby built the
handsomest and costliest house in Salem, with grounds laid out
magnificently.

Then came a very busy time. There was preserving that every housewife
attended to for winter use, pickling of various kinds, for there was no
canning stock in those days to eke out. There were some queer