De Vlierbeck glanced up from his writing, a little reproachfully, as he exclaimed,-- "What! meat on Friday, my child?
you know very well we must be economical." "Don't be angry, father," answered Lenora; "the doctor ordered it." "You are trying to deceive me, are you not ?" "No, no; the doctor said you required meat at least three times a week, if we could get it; it will do you more good than any thing else in restoring your strength." "And yet we are in debt, Lenora!" "Come, come, father, let our debts alone, everybody will be paid and satisfied.

Don't trouble yourself about them any more: I'll answer for them all.

And now be so good as to take your papers off of the table, so that I can lay the cloth." De Vlierbeck got up and did as he was asked.

Lenora covered the deal-boards with a snowy napkin and placed on it two plates and a dish of potatoes.

It was indeed an humble table, at which all was extremely common; yet every thing was so neat, fresh, and savory, that a rich man might have sat down to it with appetite.