Mary Gray was a widow with a large family of strong sons and pretty daughters. She was poor. But she never said no to a hungry person who came to her farm and asked for food. She worked hard, laughed often and was always in a cheerful mood. When she saw Misses Smith and the children coming down the road, Misses Gray went out to meet them. "Please come right in, Misses Smith. We were just getting ready to have dinner." Misses Smith went into the noisy house. Misses Grays children were laughing and talking all at the same time. Soon she was laughing and singing with the rest of them. The long table in the kitchen was piled with food. There were potatoes, fresh corn, apple pies, hot bread, sweet pickles, bread and butter and honey. They all ate until they could eat no more. Then the men and children left the table. The women stayed to drink their tea. "Mamma," said one of Misses Grays daughters. "Please read our fortunes in the tea leaves! Tell us about our futures!" Misses Gray picked up her daughters cup and stirred it first to the left, then to the right. Then she looked into it with a serious expression. "I see a handsome man with a red beard in your future," she said. Her daughter screamed with laughter. Misses Smith trembled with excitement when it was her turn. "Somebody is coming home to you," Misses Gray said slowly. "Hes carrying a rifle on his back and hes almost there." Misses Smith felt as if she could hardly breathe. "And there he is!" Misses Gray cried, pointing to the road. They all rushed to the door to look.