rapes would ripen this year, he always found the Mayor
there, and usually said, pointing to the latter's grapes: "A splendid
plant."

And the Mayor answered: "I should think so. And this year will not be
like last! Just let them come!" and with these words he held up his
finger threateningly.

"If one only could get hold of one of that crowd," remarked the Justice
of Peace, "so that one could make an example of him of what would happen
to all the wicked fellows."

"I have prepared for that, Justice of Peace," the other answered, full
of meaning. "The boldest of them will carry the reminder of the sweet
grapes for weeks about with him and will be plainly marked."

This conversation had already been repeated several times, for both men
had an especial interest in the topic. But they soon had to pass to more
important things, for in these communities all kinds of things happen.
At present all the inhabitants of the three places were in great tension
and expectation about something which caused so much talk that they
hardly found time to attend to their daily business. The Upper Wooders
had bought an organ for their church, which was to be dedicated the
following Sunday.

In the Middle Lot something was also taking place. Old Marianne was busy
packing up, for she could no longer keep her cottage. Her work was not
enough to pay the running expenses, so she was going down to Oakwood
where she had a cousin who was glad to have her live with him. Now the
question was, where the little stranger was to go, whom she had kept
with her up till now. She wanted to stay over Sunday and attend the
dedication, and on Monday she was going to lock up the house.

To the schoolchildren also the approaching festivity was an opportunity
for much loud discussion. Two parties had naturally formed themselves,
the church and the no-church party. For the one side wanted to attend
church on Organ-Sunday, as they called the day for short, and listen to
the organ; the other did not care anything about hearing the music, for
they said they could hear the organ in the afternoon when they were
obliged to go to Sunday school, and to attend church twice was too much.
The main thing was that women would be sitting about everywhere with
large baskets full of cake and unusually good cookies; these must be
secured. The Middle Lotters especially were against the morning church
service. To the surprise of all, big Churi voted for the church-going.
He had