y I ask why Miss Newville would not have knelt to her future
husband and sovereign, had she been Princess Sophia?" the rector
asked.

"Because it was an acknowledgement at the outset that she was not his
equal. She abased herself by taking an inferior position. In the days
of chivalry, men knelt to women. The princess did not leave her happy
home to be a subject of King George; but to be his wife to stand by
his side, and not crouch at his feet."

"Hurrah! That's a whole broadside. She's sweeping your quarter-deck,"
shouted the admiral.

The rector grew red in the face.

"It is recorded in the Holy Scriptures, Miss Newville, that wives must
be obedient to their husbands," he replied.

"Does the Bible say a wife must kneel at her husband's feet?" she
asked.

"Perhaps not in so many words, but she is commanded to obey. Our holy
church teaches the doctrine. When the princess knelt at the feet of
his majesty, it signified she would obey him. Perhaps it is my duty,
Miss Newville, to say that your sentiments would be regarded as
heretical by the authorities of the church."

"Hold on, rector," said Mr. Adams. "Don't set the canons of the church
to thundering."

"It is the gossip at court," said Mr. Dapper, "that the king wanted to
retire soon after sundown, but the queen said she wasn't going to bed
with the hens. It is said he told her she must wear a particular
dress, but she informed him he could dress as he pleased, and she
should do the same."

"You will have to go to court, rector, and lecture the queen on
heresy," said Mr. Adams.

The company laughed, and Ruth's eyes sparkled over the rector's
discomfiture.

The meats had been removed and Pompey was serving the pastry and
comfits.

"What delicious cheese you have. It is as toothsome as the finest
Cheshire," said Lord Upperton.

"We think it of excellent flavor, and I am sure you will relish it all
the more when I inform you, my lord, that it was made by a girl not
older than myself," replied Ruth.

"Indeed! is it possible? How very clever she must be."

"She is a New Hampshire lady."

"Are dairymaids ladies?"

"Indeed they are, my lord. The young lady who made the cheese you are
eating, I dare say, would adorn the court of our queen," responded Mr.
Adams.

"Bless me! oysters, cranberries, succotash, canvasback ducks, wild
turkeys, pumpkin pie, dairymaids ladies, wives the equals of their
husbands! Rector, will there be anything beyond these in