desert," added the weak sweet
voice of the elder's wife. "At morning and at night we may gather them
in certainty."

"But they hold not sweet over Sunday, that is if the day be hot,"
suggested Desire Minter ruefully.

"And Priscilla we shall look to thee for marchpanes and manchets and
plum-porridge and possets and all manner of tasty cates, such as only
thou canst make," said the dame hastily, and fixing her eyes upon the
girl's face as if to hinder any irreverent laughter at Desire's speech.

"All that I can do I will do blithely and steadfastly if it will
pleasure you, mother," replied Priscilla gently, as she knelt down
beside the invalid and rested against the arm of that old chair which
you may see to-day reverently preserved in Plymouth.

"I know thou wilt, sweetheart," replied the dame laying her frail hand
upon the girl's abundant hair. "But I fear me our men cannot dine to-day
on the promise of the coming feast."

"Well thought on, mother. Come maids to work, to work!"

That same afternoon Squanto was dispatched to Namasket to send from
thence a runner to Massasoit inviting him, with his brother and a
fitting escort, to the feast of Thanksgiving now fixed for the following
Thursday; and so cordially did the great sachem respond, that about
sunrise on the appointed day the laggards of the settlement were aroused
by the terrific whoop and succession of unearthly shrieks with which the
guests announced at once their arrival and their festive and playful
condition of mind.

Three of the leaders were ready even at this hour to receive the over
punctual guests: the elder, who had risen early to prepare a few brief
remarks suited to the occasion; Standish, who was always afoot to fire
his sunrise gun; and Bradford, who valued the quiet morning hour in
which he might allow his mind to dwell upon those abstruse and profound
subjects so dear to his heart, and yet never allowed to intrude upon the
business of the working day. So, while Winslow with his wife's
assistance did on his more festive doublet and hose, and Allerton spake
bitter words to Remember who had forgotten to replace the button that
should hold her father's collar in place, and gentle Warren, the gruff
Surgeon, and the rest made ready as they might, these three stood forth
to receive Massasoit and Quadequina, who with a dozen or so of their
principal pnieses came forward with considerable dignity, and through
Squanto and Hobomok made their compli