n. Any
one could see they were starved for company, so I took the job of
entertaining them. I told some college jokes, funny things that had
happened in the neighbourhood, and everything of interest I could think
up. I know we were at the table for two hours with things coming and
going on silver platters."

Mother sat straight suddenly.

"Just what did they have to eat, and how did they serve it?" she asked.

"Couldn't tell if I were to be shot for it, mummy," said Laddie.
"Forgive me! Next time I'll take notes for you. This first plunge, I
had to use all my brains, not to be a bore to them; and to handle food
and cutlery as the women did. It's quite a process, but as they were
served first, I could do right by waiting. I never was where things
were done quite so elaborately before."

"And they didn't know they would have company until you went to the
table?"

"Well, they must have thought likely, there was a place for me."

"Umph!" said mother. "Fine idea! Then any one who drops in can be
served, and see that they are not a mite of trouble. Candace, always
an extra place after this!"

Father just shouted.

"I thought you'd get something out of it!" he said.

"Happy to have justified your faith!" replied mother calmly. "Go on,
son!"

"That's all!" said Laddie. "We left the table and talked an hour more.
The women asked me to come again; he didn't say anything on that
subject; but when he ordered my horse, he asked the Princess if she
would enjoy a little exercise, and she said she would, so he told
Thomas to bring their horses, and we rode around the section, the
Princess and I ahead, Mr. Pryor following. Where the road was good and
the light fine enough that there was no danger of laming a horse, we
dropped back, one on either side of him, so we could talk. Mrs. Pryor
ate the cake and said it was fine; and the 'conserve,' she called it,
delicious as she ever had tasted. She said all our fruits here had
much more flavour than at home; she thought it was the dryer climate
and more sunshine. She sent her grateful thanks, and she wants your
recipe before next preserving time."

Mother just beamed. My! but she did love to have the things she
cooked, bragged on.

"Possibly she'd like my strawberries?" she said.

"There isn't a doubt about it," said Laddie. "I've yet to see the
first person who doesn't."

"Is that all?" asked mother.

"I can think of nothing more at this minute," answer