They were equally important characters in the settlement, and no honest Dutchman, who had any regard for his reputation for hospitality, would think of giving a merry-making without them.

The good Dominie was fond of puddings and pies, and preached that the three highest objects a man had to live for were peace, contentment, and a good dinner.

The Dutch regarded this as good enough religion for them--better, perhaps, than that preached by the man of the church of progressive ideas.

The school-master could sing a good song, and, although an idle, shiftless fellow, got more invitations to supper than any other man in the settlement.

As for the inn-keeper, he was a merry little man, who made everybody laugh, and was held in high esteem by all the good vrows around Nyack.
Now that the supper was ready, there was a general exchange of vrows, for it was not considered etiquette to sit at table with your own wife during one of these feasts.