Tea had been served in "the house," and the servants, including the strangers, had taken their seats at the table in the kitchen.

Sam, being a "single gentleman," was unusually attentive to the ladies on this occasion.

He seldom let a day pass without spending an hour or two in combing and brushing his "har." He had an idea that fresh butter was better for his hair than any other kind of grease, and therefore on churning days half a pound of butter had always to be taken out before it was salted.

When he wished to appear to great advantage, he would grease his face to make it "shiny." Therefore, on the evening of the party, when all the servants were at the table, Sam cut a big figure.

There he sat, with his wool well combed and buttered, face nicely greased, and his ruffles extending five or six inches from his bosom.