Beginning of Hannah's 'Mater Farm

Kate and Robin were visiting for the week. It was not often that they went to see Grandmother Hannah, since it was so far from their home, which made this a very special occasion. And Grandmother had a way of making the girls feel very special themselves. She was quite wealthy, and lived in a huge house with many servants, and priceless little knick-knacks everywhere. Invariably, the girls would return home with splendid gifts.

Now they were having a fancy tea. Grandmother had brought out her best bone china, with the delicate hand-painted roses that Robin loved so, and served little watercress sandwiches. No one else treated the girls like they were princesses, newly imported from some Eastern land. The girls loved their Grandmother very much, and the Grandmother adored her grandchildren.

Robin looked around her at all the lovely things. Then, one item in particular caught her eye: a little plate, in its wooden stand, upon the mantle. She had never noticed it before. In big red letters upon the plate was written "Hannah’s ‘Mater Farm." Around the edges of plate, in neat gold lettering, was written "We accept all major credit cards. Leave your paper money at home and come to Hannah’s."

"Grandmother. . . "

"Yes, Robin, what is it?"

"Well, that plate on the mantle, the one that says ‘Hannah’s ‘Mater Farm’, what is that Grandmother?"

"Oh, Robin, have I never told you that story?"

"No, Grandmother, tell us, tell us," chorused the girls.

"Well, children, that was quite a time, and it wasn’t so very long ago. . ."

She settled back in the plush couch, and began her story . . .