Koamalu : a story of pioneers on Kauai, and of what they built in that island garden / by Ethel M. Damon. [Vol. 1, no. 2]

EBB AND FLOW

633

has been entirely changed. It is much lower and is of dark Pine
beautifully stained, with a Reading Desk and low railing about
the Platform. The old sounding board is left still, but the church
has been so much improved I did feel sorry that I did not go once
with Paul while he was here. I went into the Church Yard and
looked at the little cluster of Mounds there where so many of the
Fathers and Mothers sleep. What a pity that when all the rest
of the town is so blooming and green this sacred spot is so desolate and forlorn!
Then I went on to Mrs. Cooke's. She commanded me to take
off my things and stay awhile. Pattie had to go to Punahou, but
I went up stairs into her room in our real old-fashioned way which
did me a deal of good, and took care of her while she dressed.
Oh such superb Masses of hair as she has, more than a yard long
and so thick and beautifully coiled. I am going again later to see
all her Wedding Trousseau. Her Wedding will not be now until
the vacation at Lahainaluna.
I went into Mrs. Chamberlains on my way home and found
Mattie out under the trees with the children, Goodale twins and
all. Mrs. Aldrich wanted me to ask the children to her Christmas
tree, and Mattie insisted on my staying until after Dinner. So I
staid and all the children walked with us down to the Corwins.
We came through Palace Walk. The Stables, Carriage houses,
&c., are all draped in black. The back Palace Gate is more handsome than the front. I don't believe Paul ever went through Palace Walk and saw all the handsome Gateways there. The Queen
Dowager's just opposite the Palace is all in black, and King Lot's
gates have their due amount. The old Natives crowd that Palace
yard, especially at night, and in the evening and early morning
they wail and chant ancient Meles, and at certain times they all
cry out the various names of the late King in unison. The poor
people at the Mission are much disturbed by the wailing, why.
every morning we can hear them way down here. We saw the
Bishop skipping into the Palace Yard. He is certainly extraordinary looking.
Kiss my little Dora. I hope she is pretty good and not too
much trouble. Write me how her little dark brown dress fits. I
am sending it today, although the Button-holes are not quite done.