nly said quietly, though a queer look stole over her face,
"Then we'll have it removed," touching a bell as she spoke.

Sam appeared instantly, his broad, black face shining, and a grin he
could not wholly repress displaying his white teeth.

In a moment he removed the fish and replaced it with the next course,
which was turkey, roasted in Sam's superb way, which no one in the
village could equal. This was all right, and received full justice
from the youthful appetites, even Jenny forgetting that candy had
spoiled hers.

After this the dinner progressed smoothly till ice cream was served
with dessert. Again something seemed to be out of joint. Aunt Betty
noticed that her young guests did not show their usual fondness for
this dish. Again she asked, "Is anything wrong with the cream?" and
again she was answered with bland apologies, though some confusion.

"I've eaten so much," said Grace, with a sigh.

"It's so cold it makes me shiver," said Jenny, laying down her spoon.

"And what ails you, Ruth?" asked Aunt Betty, with a grave look on her
face.

"I'm afraid"--said Ruth timidly, "I'm really afraid Sam spilled some
salt in it, auntie;" and so embarrassed was she at being obliged to
say what she was sure would be a mortal offense, that in her confusion
she knocked a delicate glass off the table, and it was shattered to
pieces on the floor.

"Oh, dear!" she cried, "I've done it now! Auntie, you'll never forgive
me! I don't know what ails me when I get among your precious things."

"I know," said her aunt grimly. "I believe you are a little afraid of
me, my dear, and that makes you awkward. Never mind the glass," as
Ruth was picking up the pieces, tears rolling down her face, "that can
be replaced; it is only the china that is precious; don't cry,
child."

Ruth tried to dry her tears, but she was really much grieved, and her
cousins exchanged a look which said plainly as words, "That settles
_her_ chance!"

If Aunt Betty saw the look, she did not mention it, but she soon made
the move to leave the table, and all gladly followed her into the
other room.

"Nieces," she said, before they had seated themselves, "did you wonder
why I had you leave your wraps in the hall today?"

"It was, of course, unusual," said Grace, "for we have always gone
into the bedroom, but it did not matter in the least."

"It did not make any difference," murmured Jenny.

"I will show you what I have been doing to the bedroom," sa