“What we deem good order, we're willing to state,
Eat hearty and decent, and clear out your plate;
Be thankful to heaven for what we receive,
And not make a mixture or compound to leave.
“We often find left on the same China dish,
Meat, apple sauce, pickle, brown bread and minced fish:
Another's replenished with butter and cheese,
With pie, cake, and toast, perhaps, added to these.”
“You say it very nicely,” commended Susanna.
“There's more:—
“Now if any virtue in this can be shown,
By peasant, by lawyer, or king on the throne;
We freely will forfeit whatever we've said,
And call it a virtue to waste meat and bread.
“There's a great deal to learn when you're being a Shaker,” sighed Sue, as she finished her rhyme.
“There's a great deal to learn everywhere,” her mother answered. “What verse did Eldress Abby give you today?”
“For little tripping maids may follow God
Along the ways that saintly feet have trod,”
quoted the child. “Am I a tripping maid, Mardie?” she continued.
“Yes, dear.” “If I trip too much, might n't I fall?”
“Yes, I suppose so.”