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Perpetua said she had provisions enough in her basket wherewith

to break her fast; after a little ceremony, however, on both

sides, they agreed to seat themselves at the dinner table.

The children had joyfully surrounded their old friend Agnes; the

tailor ordered one of them to roast some early chestnuts; "and

you," said he to another, "go to the garden, and bring some

peaches; all that are ripe. And you," to a third, "climb the

fig-tree, and gather the best figs; it is a business to which you

are well accustomed." As for himself, he left the room to tap a

small cask of wine, while his wife went in search of a

table-cloth. All being prepared, they seated themselves at the

friendly board, if not with unmingled joy, at least with much

more satisfaction than they could have anticipated from the

events of the morning.

"What does the signor curate say to the disasters of the times? I

can fancy I'm reading the history of the Moors in France," said

the tailor.