ough
spread on a baking-board. She placed the board in a slanting position
against an iron trivet before the glowing bed of coals, and set a pot
of beans in the ashes to warm. "Keep an eye on that johnny-cake," she
said to Daniel, "and don't let it burn." Then she turned away to set
the table.

[Illustration]

This task took but little time, for in those days there were few
things to put on it. She spread a snowy cloth of homespun linen on
the plank which served as a table, and laid a knife and spoon at each
place; there were no forks, and for plates only a square of wood with
a shallow depression in the middle. Beside each of these trenchers she
placed a napkin and a mug, and at the Captain's place, as a special
honor, she set a beautiful tankard of wrought silver. It was one of
the few valuable things she had brought with her from her English
home, and it was used only on great occasions.

When these preparations were complete, she took the lobsters from
the pot, poured the beans into a pewter dish, heaped the golden
johnny-cake high upon a trencher, and, sending Dan to fetch Nancy,
called the men to supper. The storm was over by this time, the last
rays of the setting sun were throwing long shadows over the fields,
and the robins were singing their evening song. The Goodwife stepped
to the window and threw open the wooden shutters. "See," she said.
"There 's a rainbow."

"The sign of promise," murmured Goodman Pepperell, rising and looking
over his wife's shoulder.

"Fine day to-morrow," said the Captain. "Maybe I can plant my
lobster-pots after all."

Nancy, looking pale and a little subdued, crept down the ladder and
took her place with Daniel at the foot of the board. Then they all
stood, while Goodman Pepperell asked a blessing on the food, and
thanked God for his mercy in delivering them from danger and bringing
them together in health and safety to partake of his bounty.

[Illustration]

II

TWO DAYS

The grace finished (it was a very long one and the beans were nearly
cold before he said amen), Goodman Pepperell broke open the lobsters
and piled the trenchers with johnny-cake and beans, and the whole
family fell to with a right good will. All but Nancy. She was still a
bit upset and did not feel hungry.

"Thou hast not told me, Captain, what voyage thou art about to
undertake next," said the Goodman, sucking a lobster-claw with relish.

The Captain loved to talk quite as well as he lo