She moved to him and took the flowers, "Oh, they are so pretty. Thank you!" She went to get a vase to put the flowers in, filling it partway with water and then putting them all in. The vase was then placed on the mantle.

She was wearing a striped dress that was less fancy than her others, and an apron over that. There was, as was her usual, a light dusting of flour on her nose. She pulled the apron off and placed it on the peg, moving to place the food on the table.

There was the chicken, bread, mashed potatoes, and minted peas. There was an apple pie sitting on the counter cooling.

"I hope today finds you well," she said, moving to get some hot cider from the pot on the back of the stove. Then everything was ready.