However, the fact that his own soup-
plate was now placed before him ended the speechless shock.
He began eating at once, and the three boarders watched him scoop up
the liquid as if his life depended upon finishing the work. The amount
of noise he made while accomplishing the feat was a revelation to the
Maynard girls and mortifying to Mrs. Brewster.
Sary concluded her serving and sat down to enjoy her own meal. She used
the blade of her knife as a shovel and the fork-prongs as a pick. When
she was not spearing or loading food upon either, she was using the
silver as an eloquent means of expressing her conversation--which was
voluble.
The moment supper ended, Mr. Brewster remarked: "The trunks are safe in
the barn. Whenever you need them you can tell Jeb, and he will see that
they are carried in for you."
"Thank you, but I shall have them taken back to Oak Creek to-morrow as
I have no idea of remaining to spoil my summer," returned Barbara
haughtily.
Mr. Brewster made no reply but excused himself and went out to the wide
steps of the front porch where he sat down to watch the peaceful
twilight as it crept slowly over the mountain peaks.
Here, the rest of the family soon joined him, and the wonderful western
night, as the brilliant stars sparkled seemingly so near to earth, had
its soothing effect on the perturbed hearts and minds of all present.
When Mrs. Brewster finally mentioned that it was bed-time the
individuals in the group felt more amiably disposed towards each other.
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