The mother meanwhile had placed on the floor a pile of corn-cakes.

Beside it, in an earthen bowl decorated inside and out with geometrical lines, steamed the stew.

Dinner was ready; the table spread.
To enjoy this meal both lads squatted, but Shyuote, still half asleep, lost his balance and tumbled over.

Angry at the merriment which this created, the boy hastily grabbed the food, but his mother interfered.
"Don't be so greedy, uak,--'urchin.' Remember Those Above," she said; and Shyuote, imitating the example of Okoya, crossly muttered a prayer, and scattered crumbs before him.

Then only, both fell to eating.
This was done by simply folding a slice of the cake to form a primitive ladle, and dipping the contents of the stew out with it.