“I’ll make the chowder myself,” declared John Nelson. “Mistress Stoddard shall not be burdened with work, and I’ll see that the Starkweather boys earn a shilling by helping me,” and it was settled that the following Thursday should be the day.
Anne thought it the finest plan in the world, and she and Amanda brought branches of pine, and fragrant fir balsam to cover the ground under the big sail. Mrs. Stoddard insisted on spreading her two new fine table-cloths over the rough table, and on using her tall pewter pitchers.
“And Elder Haven is to have a plate and cup of china,” she said proudly.
Not a boat put out from harbor on that Thursday morning, and the day was not far advanced when the guests, all wearing their Sunday best, began to come up the hill toward Captain Stoddard’s house. John Nelson and Anne gave them all a warm welcome, and as they all stood together around the white covered table and Elder Haven asked a blessing to rest on them all it seemed to Anne and Amanda that it was the happiest day that Province Town had ever known.
The Stories in this Series are:
A LITTLE MAID OF MASSACHUSETTS COLONY
A LITTLE MAID OF NARRAGANSETT BAY