"No thank you, Miss Faith," said Reuben—adding with some hesitation,
"I believe it's ungrateful in me, but I don't want to eat."
"Are you eating your book all the while? I am so glad, Reuben! Where is your father?"
"I think he's home, Miss Faith—he must be by this time."
"Home! I'm sorry. I've been looking for him. Sam—what can I get you? coffee?"
"Miss Faith!" said Sam standing up in his place, "I'd rather have one of those leaves you've been wearing all day than all the coffee that ever was burnt!"
"Leaves! you foolish boy," said Faith, her own colour in an instant emulating them, and as before her hand went up to shield them. "I can't give you one of these, Sam—I'll bring you some coffee."
Away she ran, coming back presently with a cup and a piece of jelly cake, bestowing a fellow piece upon Reuben,
"You can get plenty of oak leaves anywhere, Sam," she said laughing a little.
"But you haven't worn 'em, Miss Faith—and I can't keep this!" said Sam surveying the cake with a very serio-comic face.
"Well, who wants to?" said Joe Deacon. "Hand us over the other cake, that's got nothing between. If you're settin' up to get round anybody, Sam Stoutenburgh, you'll find there's two or three in a bunch—I tell you." Which remark Faith was happily too far off to hear.