ry decencies of society, made an effort to keep up a conversation
with Mr. Haley at the head of the table and occasionally ventured a
remark to his wife, who, with Mandy, was acting as a waiter upon the
hungry men. But conversation is a social exercise, and Cameron found
himself compelled to abandon his well meant but solitary efforts at
maintaining the conventions of the breakfast table. There was neither
time nor occasion for conversation. The business of the hour was
something quite other, namely, that of devouring as large a portion
of the food set before them as was possible within the limits of time
assigned for the meal. Indeed, the element of time seemed to be one of
very considerable importance, as Cameron discovered, for he was still
picking his way gingerly and carefully through his pork and potatoes by
the time that Perkins, having completed a second course consisting of
pie and maple syrup, had arrived at the final course of bread and butter
and apple sauce.

"Circulate the butter!" he demanded of the table in general. He took the
plate from Cameron's hand, looked at it narrowly for a moment, then with
thumb and forefinger drew from the butter with great deliberation a long
dun-coloured hair.

"Say!" he said in a low voice, but perfectly audible, "they forgot to
comb it this morning."

Cameron was filled with unspeakable disgust, but, glancing at Mrs.
Haley's face, he saw to his relief that both the action and the remark
had been unnoticed by her. But on Mandy's face he saw the red ensign of
shame and wrath, and in spite of himself he felt his aversion towards
the ever-smiling hired man deepen into rage.

Finding himself distanced in his progress through the various courses at
breakfast, Cameron determined to miss the intermediate course of pie
and maple syrup and, that he might finish on more even terms with the
others, proceeded with bread and butter and apple sauce.

"Don't yeh hurry," said Mrs. Haley with hearty hospitality. "Eat plenty,
there's lots to spare. Here, have some apple sauce." She caught up the
bowl which held this most delicious article of food.

"Where's the spoon?" she said, glancing round the table. There was none
immediately available. "Here!" she cried, "this'll do." She snatched
a large spoon from the pitcher of thick cream, held it dripping for
a moment in obvious uncertainty, then with sudden decision she cried
"Never mind," and with swift but effective application of lip and