Seeing eager acquiescence in my face, he continued, without giving me
time to reply, "Here, mother, thee always provides enough for one
more. We'll have a stranger within our gates to-day, perhaps."

To my joy the Friend lady, with a face like a benediction, turned at
his words. At the same moment a large, three-seated rockaway, with a
ruddy boy as driver, drew up against the adjacent horse-block, while
the fair unknown, who had stood among a bevy of young Quakeresses like
a tall lily among lesser flowers, came toward us holding a little girl
by the hand. The family group was drawing together according to my
prophetic fancy, and my heart beat thick and fast. Truly this was the
day of fate!

"Homely people" indeed! and what cared I for "fare" in the very hour
of destiny!

"Mother," he said, with his humorous twinkle, "I'm bent on making
amends to this stranger who seemed to have a drawing toward thy side
of the house. Thee didn't give him any spiritual fare in the meeting-
house, but I think thee'll do better by him at the farmhouse. When I
tell thee that he is not well and a long way from home, thee'll give
him a welcome."

"Indeed," said the old lady, taking my hand in her soft, plump palm,
while her face fairly beamed with kindness; "it would be poor faith
that did not teach us our duty toward the stranger; and, if I mistake
not, thee'll change our duty into a pleasure."

"Do not hope to entertain an angel," I said.