ted to every two or three. Without in the least
interrupting the flow of laughter and lively conversation the baskets
grew empty surprisingly fast, but were immediately replenished from the
well-stored cellar, till some of the younger portion of the company with
an eye to the supper, and fun in the prospective, began to wonder if the
work would never be done. Aunt Lucinda, assisted by some of the company,
was laying out the supper in the wide hall ready to be brought into the
dining-room, directly work was over. Grandma had her arm-chair removed
into the circle of the workers, and actually pared a dozen apples in the
course of the evening.

It pleased her to be there and enjoy the scene of innocent mirth,
and that was enough. As for Uncle Nathan he was here and there and
everywhere else, it seemed almost at one time, replenishing the baskets,
sharpening the edge of a knife, and diffusing mirth and good humour
through the whole company. Mr. Oswald, the teacher, was invited,
bringing with him his wife and Rose. When I first mentioned giving the
Oswalds an invitation Uncle Nathan advised me to give the Assistant one
also; I was not too well pleased at this, for Mr. Lawrence was far from
being a favorite with me, and, like most boys, I did not always pause to
consider what was right; but Aunt Lucinda, who was anxious that every
thing should be conducted after the most approved style, declared if
the Oswalds were invited Mr. Lawrence should be favoured also with an
invitation, saying, if any of the youths should make fun of his red
hair, or cut up any capers with him she'd make them sorry for their fun.
"I know," said Uncle Nathan, with a sly look, "what makes Lucinda kinda'
stand up for Mr. Lawrence, and be so watchful over his red head; every
one who knew Joshua Blake will remember that he had red hair. I thought
Lucinda had forgotten the fellow by this time, but it seems I was
mistaken after all." "Who was Joshua Blake?" I ventured to enquire. "If
you don't be off to your work this minnit," said Aunt Lucinda, "I'll let
you know who Joshua Blake was, in a way that you won't ask again, I'll
be bound." I thought it unwise to push my inquiries further, in fact I
was glad to beat a hasty retreat from the kitchen; years after I heard
the story of Joshua Blake from Aunt Lucinda's own lips.

While we have been indulging in this digression, work has progressed
steadily at Uncle Nathan's, till the last basket of apples was pared,