Part 3 (1/2)
A SUPPER PARTY
The interior of the Bretton home was extremely simple; and simple, too, was the supper laid out upon the sand-scoured table In war ti on the plainest of rations, that all the food which could possibly be spared should be sent to the ar, little salt, a scant quantity of flour, and no e Still no one co his which, after all, could easily be done without? Healthy boys and girls were as well off--nay, better--without cakes and candies, the grown-ups said; and even the children theroup ate without coal meal, thankful that their food was as plenty as it was The kind old priest, like his people, was accustomed to scanty fare, and would have been the first to repri else Simple, however, as was the supper it ell-cooked and satisfying; and after the chairs had been pushed back, and Marie and her hted and the Brettons, together with their guest, drew their seats into the circle of its radiance
”I wish, Father, you would tell us how they hted in the Cure's stories ”That, too, is made from silk, isn't it?”
”Velvet!” ejaculated the priest ”What a frivolous little da already how you will one day dress yourself in the clothes of a princess, my dear?”
Mischievously he pinched her cheek
Marie laughed
”No, indeed, Father It was only that on Sunday when I saw the hangings about the high altar it came to me of a sudden to wonder how the velvet wasof your prayers, naughty one,”
replied Pere Benedict, touching her hair lightly with his long, slender fingers ”However, in order that you may not a second time fill your mind with such questions I will tell you what I can about velvet h of pleasure Marie settled back onto the tiny stool at the priest's feet
They all loved to listen to the Father's tales
”He is better than any story-book!” Pierre often declared
”The first velvet we know anything about,” began the Cure, ”was probably brought from India, where it must have been woven on hand-loo other spoils they brought back with thereat webs of crian to decorate their palaces They had no idea hoas ive it the na _shaggy hair_ It is from this quaint old term that our modern word velvet is derived”
The children se they should have chosen that name, for you must remember they had never seen woven material with a fur-like pile, or nap, such as velvet has; and it must have puzzled them not a little So you see it is due to these conquests of the Orient that velvet found its way into the world As time went on the supply of velvet increased
People in other places than India learned to make it By the fourteenth century it was extensively used for hangings in the churches of France and Italy, and was also much seen at court Robes of blue velvet old, which evidently had been worn by church dignitaries, have been found in an old French church, and are carefully preserved as curiosities, since all the velvet of that period was either black or of a cri was one of the arts of the time, and as much wonderful hand-made lace was used on vestments and altar-cloths, you can readily understand how velvet was a rareit off, and becahtfully
”And not only did it rise in favor in the churches, but also kings, queens, and noblemen purchased all of it they could afford, to adorn themselves It was far more expensive than silk, which at that early date was very costly In fact it is only since present dayvelvet less expensively that its price has lessened Although some of the rare patterns and some of the silkiest qualities are still reater part of it is nowand Queen of England, for example, are always made on hand-looms”
”Is velvet hard to make, Father?” inquired Pierre
”Yes Good velvet weavers are few You see when our king Louis XIV of France drove the Huguenots, ere famous silk and velvet weavers, out of the country, they took with the Soland; some to Germany The Gere part of the velvet used by the world--or did before the war Krefeld alone has one hundred and twenty velvet factories, besidesthe silk froives to those ill follow the industry free instruction in the che theof velvet has increased there until now many varieties formerly only obtainable in other countries are nooven in Germany”
”But some of our own French cities make velvet, too, Father,” protested Marie
”Ah, surely, dear child! The velvet fro been famous
Lyons and Genoa, many persons say, make the most beautiful velvets there are to be had Soreat flowers, scrolls, or garlands brocaded upon them; others are of solid color--a rare and rich shade--and are ives to them a sheen wondrous to see Such velvets are, of course, very costly, and only the rich can afford thenificent achieve has now become a well-perfected art Time has eliminated ancient methods, and bettered machinery so that effects never before dreamed of can now be obtained
There is, for exaoods after it has been woven until it presents a satiny finish, then there is what is known as mirror velvet, a product woven froht has a changeable quality”
”It is wonderful, isn't it?”as intently as were her boy and girl
”Yes; all that man thinks out with his brain and perfects with his hands is wonderful,” agreed the priest ”It is a test of ingenuity and patience, and as such should be respected Moreover, velvet is a useful product The best silk varieties are very durable They ravel little, and can be steainal freshness when they become worn Of course cheap velvets and plushes--which are er nap--are another matter There is much cotton in them, and consequently they catch the dirt, and are soon defaced More and s for furniture, or for seats in cars and halls The material cannot be cleaned, and as a collector of dust isthat is not such a fosterer of germs”