center occupied by a large silver-plated castor, its
various rings filled with differently shaped bottles
and shakers. At the end where Lettice sat heavy
white cups and saucers were piled; at Gordon's
place a knife and fork were propped up on their
guards. On either side were the plates of Simeon
and Mrs. Caley. Each place boasted a knife and
formidable steel fork -- the spoons were assembled
in a glass receptacle -- and a napkin thrust into a
ring of plaited hair plainly marked with the sign of
the respective owner.

Mrs. Caley silently put before Gordon a pinkish
loin of pork, boiled potatoes and a bowl of purple,
swimming huckleberries; this she fortified by a vessel
of gravy and section of pie. There was tea.
"Where's Lettice?" Gordon demanded. Apparently
Mrs. Caley had not heard him. "Lettice," he
raised his voice; "here's supper."

"I don't want anything to eat, thank you, Gordon,"
she returned from another room.

"You ought to eat," he called back, attacking the
pork. Then he muttered, " -- full of ideas and airs.
Soft."

[[163]]

p162 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p163w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p164

v?