extry plate there.

"Just like having a spare bedroom. If you can say: 'Stay all night, we
got a room for ye,' then that's what I call hospitality. I wouldn't
live in a house that warn't big enough to have at least one spare room."

"I believe I must be very welcome here, Cap'n Abe," Louise said,
smiling at the kindly old man.

"Land sakes, I sh'd hope ye felt so!" ejaculated Cap'n Abe. "Now, if
you don't mind, Niece Louise." He dropped his head suddenly and closed
his eyes in reverence. "For what we are about to partake of, Lord,
make us duly thankful. Amen!" His countenance became animated again.
"Try them biscuit. I made 'em this morning 'twixt Marcy Coe selectin'
that piece of gingham for a new dress and John Peckham buying cordage
for his smack. But they warmed up right nice in the oven."

Meanwhile he heaped her plate with codfish and fried potatoes cooked to
a delicate brown. There was good butter, fat doughnuts, and beach-plum
preserve. It was a homely meal but Louise ate it graciously. Already
the air of Cardhaven had sharpened her appetite.

"Lend me your apron," insisted the girl when they had finished, "and I
will wash these dishes."

"I us'ally let them go till Betty Gallup comes in the morning," the
storekeeper said rather ruefully. "It don't look right to me that you
should mess with these greasy dishes jest as we get under way, as ye
might say."