Mrs. Emmit was not one of the cuddling kind, so this rare treat had its desired effect!
"There now, girlies, run and wash those tears away, and look clean for the company. We'll have supper right soon now."
As the children ran ahead of her to the house, she shook her head doubtfully.
"Who'd a' thought it? Betty is made of too tender stuff for this world. She'll have a hard time of it, poor kiddie!"
Supper was a bountiful repast, served on the "Emmit best china," which as Mrs. Emmit explained to Mrs. Catt, had been handed down from her grandmother, who had been the first woman in Ephraim to own such ware.
Mrs. Catt examined the substantial china with care and admiration.
"It looks just like the good substantial stock, that you descended from," remarked Mrs. Catt, smiling on her pleased hostess. "How anxious I am to meet some of those old pioneers! Are there any that are still living?"
"Oh yes, indeed. I'll have some of them around one evening, and they will be glad to tell you of their early experiences."
"Nothing that I would like better—how sweet of you to plan such an entertainment for me! What a beautiful home picture!" she added, as she looked at the many happy faces gathered around the big table. "We never see such families in the East. How do you ever manage to get through the work, my dear Mrs. Emmit?"
"It isn't as hard as it looks," returned the good house-wife, beaming with pride on her flock. "You see, one just helps the other, and things just run like clock-work, unless there's a hitch somewhere, but that doesn't happen very often."