It was a long, low shed, or booth, built of poles thatched with palm-leaves woven so close that its interior was completely hidden.

Mrs.Elmer, Mrs.Bevil, Mrs.Carter, Ruth, Grace, and Aunt Chloe were known to be inside, but what they were doing was a mystery that no one could solve.
"Reckon dey's a-fixin' up sandwitches," said one.
"Yo' g'way, chile! Who ebber heerd ob sich nonsens?
'Tain't no witches ob no kine; hits somefin' to eat, I tell yo'.

I kin smell hit," said an old aunty, who sniffed the air vigorously as she spoke.
This opinion was strengthened when Aunt Chloe appeared at the entrance of the booth, before which hung a curtain of white muslin, and in a loud voice commanded all present to provide themselves "wif palmetter leafs fo' plateses, an' magnole leafs fo' cupses." When all had so provided themselves, they were formed, two by two, into a long procession by several young colored men whom Mr.Elmer had appointed to act as marshals, the white curtain was drawn aside, and they were invited to march into the booth.

As they did so, a sight greeted their eyes that caused them to give a sort of suppressed cheer of delight.

The interior was hung and trimmed with great bunches of sweet-scented swamp azalea, yellow jasmine, and other wild spring flowers, of which the woods were full.