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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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While all other preparations were going on, Simeon the elder stood in his shirt-sleeves before a little looking-glass in the corner, engaged in the antipatriar- chal operation of shaving. Everything went on so sociably, so quietly, so harmoni- ously, in the great kitchen,- it seemed so pleasant to every one to do just what they were doing, there was such an atmosphere of mutual confidence and good fellowship everywhere,- even the knives and forks had a social clatter as they went on to the table; and the chicken and ham had a cheerful and joyous fizzle in the pan, as if they rather enjoyed being cooked than otherwise;- and when George and Eliza and little Harry came out, they met such a hearty, rejoicing welcome, no wonder it seemed to them like a dream. At last, they were all seated at breakfast, while Mary stood at the stove, bak- ing griddle-cakes, which, as they gained the true exact golden-brown tint of per- fection, were transferred quite handily to the table. Rachel never looked so truly and benignly happy as at the head of her table. There was so much motherliness and full-heartedness even in the way she passed a plate of cakes or poured a cup of coffee, that it seemed to put a spirit into the food and drink she offered. It was the first time that ever George had sat down on equal terms at any white man’s table; and he sat down, at first, with some constraint and awkward- ness; but they all exhaled and went off like fog, in the genial morning rays of this simple overflowing kindness. |
