“Call me Sandy, lass,” said the old man, gently.
“To allow Sandy,” corrected the girl, “to place this box on the centre of the supper table, to be opened when we are all seated around the spread.”
So the big box held its place of honor, and great was the curiosity concerning it.
The children now commenced to play “the needle’s eye,” an old game popular among the country children, which is very similar to “London Bridge.”
“The needle’s eye it doth comply
With the thread which runs so true.
It has caught many a very fine lass,
And now it has caught you.”
Little Hitty Buffum found herself a prisoner. However, she was soon kissed and released, and through the arch formed by clasped hands and uplifted arms trooped the children, keeping time to the sing-song chant of the queer verse. They saw nothing funny in the verse, however, and played the game with great enthusiasm.
Meanwhile the apples were being pared by industrious hands and soon the “stringing” began. Merrily the work went on with jokes and lively chatter, and before it seemed possible the task was completed.
The boys now gathered up the parings, carried them away, and once more the room was in order.
“Now, friends,” said Randy’s father, “let’s all have supper.” No one waited for a second invitation, and a cheery, happy party made a complete circle around the long table. What a spread that was! Hot baked beans and brown bread, mince pies, pumpkin pies, gingerbread and doughnuts, nuts and apples, made a “treat for a king,” said old Sandy McLeod.
“Now, Mr. Weston,” said Helen, “please open my box;” and when the cover was removed a chorus of “Ohs” and “Ahs” greeted the sight disclosed. Helen had sent to Boston for an immense box of bonbons, and to those simple country people, who knew naught but home-made confections, the rose and violet tinted dainties looked like a fairy gift. But if they were unacquainted with such candies, it took a fabulously short time to learn to like them, and soon the bottom of the box appeared.