They at once sat down to supper, the present of wine and turkey not being produced for consumption to-night, lest the premature display of those gifts should seem to throw doubt on Mrs.Hall's capacities as a provider.
'Drink hearty, Mr.Johns--drink hearty,' said that matron magnanimously.
'Such as it is there's plenty of.

But perhaps cider-wine is not to your taste ?--though there's body in it.' 'Quite the contrairy, ma'am--quite the contrairy,' said the dairyman.
'For though I inherit the malt-liquor principle from my father, I am a cider-drinker on my mother's side.

She came from these parts, you know.
And there's this to be said for't--'tis a more peaceful liquor, and don't lie about a man like your hotter drinks.

With care, one may live on it a twelvemonth without knocking down a neighbour, or getting a black eye from an old acquaintance.' The general conversation thus begun was continued briskly, though it was in the main restricted to Mrs.Hall and Japheth, who in truth required but little help from anybody.

There being slight call upon Sally's tongue, she had ample leisure to do what her heart most desired, namely, watch her intended husband and her sister-in-law with a view of elucidating the strange momentary scene in which her mother and herself had surprised them in the stable.