"In olden times a man didn't come whining to a maiden and say, 'I long to be a knight, but I am too weak to do battle unaided. Be my ladye fair and help me win my spurs.' No, she would have laughed him to scorn. He won his spurs first, and only after he had proved himself worthy and received his accolade, did she give him her hand.
"Oh, my dear girls, if you would only do as Hildegarde did, ask first if all be well before you clip the golden web from the loom and give it to the one who begs for it! He is not the one written for you in the stars—he does not measure to the stature of a true prince if he comes with such a selfish demand as Ned did."
"That is a story I'll nevah forget," said Lloyd, soberly. "I think it ought to be printed and put in the seminary library for all the othah girls to read."
"And some of the fathers and mothers, too," added Betty. "Ida's aunt ought to have a copy."
"No, it is too late," remarked Katie. "It's a case of what grandpa would call 'locking the stable after the horse is stolen.'"
There was a knock at the door. "Supper is served," announced Barbry's voice in the hall.
CHAPTER XV.
THANKSGIVING DAY