The girl's teasing mood fled. "I think," she said slowly, "that the plain dress should not be worn by any one who does not realize all that the dress stands for. If I ever turn plain I'll do so because I feel it is the right thing to do, but just now vanity and the love of pretty clothes are still in my heart."
After the meal was over the women washed the dishes while Jacob went out to attend to the evening milking. Later, when the poultry houses and stables were locked he returned to the kitchen and read the weekly paper. After a while he turned to Phœbe.
"Will you sing for me this evening?" he asked.
"Yes," came the ready response.
"Then make the door shut," Aunt Maria directed as they went to the sitting-room. "I want to mark my rug yet this evening and your noise bothers me."
CHAPTER XI
"THE BRIGHT LEXICON OF YOUTH"
"What shall I sing?" Phœbe asked as her father sank into the big rocker and she took her place at the low organ.
"Ach, anything," he replied.