somethin' to do--it's awful bothersome ter stan' round an' act
stylish. If they have napkins, Sarah Maud down to Peory may
put 'em in their laps 'n the rest of ye can tuck 'em in yer
necks. Don't eat with yer fingers--don't grab no vittles off one
'nother's plates; don't reach out for nothin', but wait till yer
asked, 'n if yer never GIT asked don't git up and grab it--don't
spill nothin' on the table cloth, or like's not Mis' Bird 'll
send yer away from the table. Now we'll try a few things ter see
how they'll go! Mr. Clement, do you eat cramb'ry sarse?"

"Bet yer life!" cried Clem, who, not having taken in the idea
exactly, had mistaken this for an ordinary family question.

"Clement Ruggles, do you mean to tell me that you'd say that to a
dinner party? I'll give ye one more chance. Mr. Clement, will
you take some of the cramb'ry?"

"Yes marm, thank ye kindly, if you happen ter have any handy."

"Very good, indeed! Mr. Peter, do you speak for white or dark
meat?"

"I ain't particler as ter color--anything that nobody else wants
will suit me," answered Peter with his best air.

"First rate! nobody could speak more genteel than that. Miss
Kitty, will you have hard or soft sarse with your pudden?"

"A little of both if you please, an' I'm much obliged," said
Kitty with decided ease and grace, at which all the other