The three rosy-faced apprentices, of whom a son of the house made one, formed a link at table between the family and the shopmen and serving wenches.

All sat down together, and Rebecca, the daughter who lived at home, served up the hot broth and puddings.

The eldest daughter was a serving maid in the household of my Lady Howe, and was seldom able to get home for more than a few hours occasionally, even when that fashionable dame was in London.

Dorcas spent each night under the shelter of her father's roof, and went daily to the quaint old house close beside Allhallowes the Less, where lived the eccentric Lady Scrope, her mistress, of whom mention has been made.
The youngest son was also from home, being apprenticed to a carpenter in the service of the Master Builder next door, and he lived, as was usual, in the house of his employer.

Thus four out of Harmer's seven children lived always at home, and Dan the sailor was with them whenever his ship put into the river after a voyage.
No talk of either comet or plague was permitted at table; indeed the meal was generally eaten in something approaching to silence.
Sometimes the master of the house would address a question to one of the family, or suppress by a glance the giggling of the lads at the lower end of the table.