, how dost thou dare flout Master Allerton in that style!
He'll have thee before the Church."

"Not he!" replied Priscilla coolly. "Hist now, poppet, and I'll tell
thee something--thou 'lt not repeat it though?"

"Not I," replied Mary stoutly.

"Well, then, dost think I should make a fitting stepdame for Bartholomew
and Mary and Remember?"

"Dost mean"--

"Ay do I, just that. And because I could not but laugh merrily at the
notion when 't was placed before me last Sunday night, the Assistant
looketh sourly enough but dareth not meddle with me lest I make others
laugh as well as myself."

"Priscilla! Mary!" called Elizabeth Tilley's voice from the doorstep.
"Mistress Brewster would have you in to see about noon-meat."

"But thy news, poppet, quick!" exclaimed Priscilla as gathering up her
gear she slowly led the way up the hill.

"Why, the governor hath resolved upon a day, or rather a week, of
holiday and of thanksgiving for the mercies God hath showed us. Think of
it, Pris! A whole week of feasting and holiday!"

"Hm!" dryly responded Priscilla. "It sounds well enow, but who is to
make ready this feasting?"

"Why--all of us--and chiefly you, dear wench, for none can season a
delicate dish or"--

"Ay, ay, I know that song full well; but dost really think, Molly, that
to do a good deal more, and a good deal harder cooking than our wont,
will be so very sprightly a holiday?"

"But 't will be doing our part to make holiday for the others," replied
Mary simply.

"Now, then, if thou 'rt not at thy old tricks of shaming my selfish
frowardness!" exclaimed Priscilla, and laughing they entered the house
where all the women of the community were assembled in eager debate over
their share in the approaching festival.

"The governor hath already ordered my man, with Dotey and Soule and
Latham, to go afield to-morrow with their guns, and to spend two days in
gathering game," announced Helen Billington with an air of importance.

"And it was determined to invite King Massasoit and his train to the
feast," eagerly added Mistress Winslow, who, with her baby Peregrine
White in her arms, had run across the street to join the council.

"Methinks another party should go to the beach to dig clams," suggested
Dame Hopkins. "For though not so toothsome as venison and birds 't is a
prey more surely to be come by."

"The elder saith the God of Jacob sendeth us the clams as he did manna
to those other children of his in the