The three younger ones took the lead, while Uncle Robert and Jim lingered behind, discussing ways and means of making money at farming.
Such a table full of youngsters looked strange to Kathie's eyes. On the whole they behaved very well, a little awed, perhaps, by the presence of strangers. Sarah paused now and then to watch Kathie, whose quiet manners were "so like a lady." She made no clatter with her knife and fork, did not undertake to talk with her mouth full, and said "Thank you" to everything that was handed to her.
"I never can be like that!" she thought with a despairing sigh, and yet unconsciously her manners took tone from this unobtrusive example.
Uncle Robert and Kathie made themselves at ease with truest politeness. Mrs. Strong talked over the Fair, and how much she enjoyed it, and told Kathie that the children were delighted with their gifts. Then followed some conversation on the war. The Strongs were very patriotic, to say the least. Sarah was excused from helping to wash the dishes, so she and Kathie went to the parlor again, and the package was opened.
A very pretty story-book, one of Kathie's favorites, and a copy of Longfellow's Evangeline, illustrated. She had also brought two colored photographs,—the sad-eyed Evangeline, and the "Children," companion pictures.
"I don't know whether you like poetry or not, but it always seems to me that it is pleasant to know the story of anything that interests you."
"I like—some verses—" Sarah returned, rather hesitatingly, "and the book is beautiful. But—I can't say anything at all—"
The tears were so near to her voice that it rendered her almost ungracious.