As Ben and the Professor were walking into the kitchen, Will and Sam were in the dining room supposedly setting the table.  Because they were two years apart in age, Will was taller than Sam.  Other than that, the two brothers looked very much alike.

Some families look so much alike that to look at one member is to see them all.  Often it’s more than hair color or the shape of the chin.  It has to do with attitude or spirit, which is reflected in speech patterns and facial expressions, hand gestures and overall body movement.

All of the Colwell siblings looked alike.  Their blonde hair and blue eyes meant they could be picked out of a crowd of children with ease.  Of course Ben and Becca were twins, so their resemblance was expected.  But Will and Sam looked even more alike than the twins, though they had very different personalities.  Where Will was outgoing and sometimes aggressive, Sam was quiet and unassuming.  If there were mischief going on at the Colwell farm, most likely Will started it and charmed Sam into participating.

From the other side of the large dining table, Will beckoned to Sam with a conspiratorial whisper.  “Hey, Sam, c’mere, look at this, look what I got.”

Sam hurried around the table and peered into his brother’s cupped hands.  After a moment of studying their contents, he asked, “What is it, Will?”

“It’s a pig’s bladder.  It’s from that hog that got butchered yesterday over at Frost’s farm.”  Will puffed out his chest with pride over his latest prized possession.

“What’re you gonna do with it?” Sam asked.

“I’m gonna blow it up and put it under the Professor’s seat cushion, and when he sits down on it . . . ,” Will pursed his lips and forced air through them, making a loud sound like farting.

Sam laughed loudly, but was shushed by Will who was afraid of drawing attention from the kitchen.

“But how do you know where he’s going to sit, Will?”

“Mama always gives up her seat at the head of the table to company.  I’ll put it under that cushion.”

Suddenly they could hear footsteps approaching from the kitchen.  Sam whispered, “Hurry up, Will, here they come!”

Will quickly blew up the bladder and put it under the Professor’s cushion just in time, for no sooner had he finished than the entire family came into the room, including Laura Mary Alice, whom Ellen introduced to the Professor.

The Professor took Laura Mary Alice’s hand in his and held it for a moment as he said, “Actually, Ellen, we’ve already met.”  Looking into Laura Mary Alice’s eyes, he noticed he was looking up, for Laura Mary Alice was a tall women.  He said to her, “But I thought your name was Juliet.”

“Only on moonlit balconies,” Laura Mary Alice replied.  Then she gently removed her hand from the Professor’s grip and smiled at him.

Heaping bowls of food were brought in from the kitchen and set down on the table.  Everyone took their places, except of course for the Professor who wasn’t sure where to sit.

Ellen turned to him and said, “Please take my seat at the head of the table, Professor.”

Will and Sam covered their mouths, trying to hide their giggles.

Just as the Professor was about to sit down, he noticed an empty seat next to Laura Mary Alice.  “It’s very kind of you, Ellen, to offer me your seat, but I believe the head of the family should sit at the head of the table.  I’ll just take this empty seat next to Laura Mary Alice.”

Will and Sam’s faces fell as they heard their mother say, “Why that’s very thoughtful of you, Professor.”

The brothers knew they couldn’t let their mother sit on that cushion.  They exchanged worried glances, and just as Ellen was about to sit down, Will cried out, “Mama!”

She jumped up, clearly startled.  “What’s wrong, Will?”

Will hesitated a moment, trying to think of something to say.  Finally he blurted out, “Uh, could you pass me the potatoes, please?”

“Will Colwell, I’m surprised at you.  We haven’t even said the blessing yet.”  Ellen’s face was grim.  She started to sit down again when suddenly. . .

“MAMA!”

Again she jumped up.  “What is it, Will?”

“Uh . . . can I say grace this evening?”

Just then there was a knock on the front door in the adjoining hallway.  Ellen said, “Excuse me a minute,” and Will cried in relief, “Amen!”

In a moment Ellen returned with the sheriff, Bill Riley, who was a tall, barrel-chested man.  He walked over to Laura Mary Alice and gave her a kiss on the cheek, much to the Professor’s dismay.

Ellen introduced the two men, and as they shook hands they eyed one another warily.  Ellen then invited the sheriff to join them for supper and offered him her chair.

Will and Sam exchanged worried glances.

Sam whispered to him, “You gotta do something, Will!”

Will jumped up and said, “Don’t sit there, Bill!  Here, take my chair, it’s better!”  And in exasperation Will pushed the sheriff out of the way and flung himself into Ellen’s chair.

A loud noise rushed out of the seat where Will sat, making him cringe with embarrassment.

Ellen glared at her son and said, “William Colwell, you may excuse yourself from this room.”