prepah

Updated: June 26, 2025

In the back yard, suspended from a beam, and upright, hung a large bell, which called the boarders to meals. It commonly rung thrice, and I was told on inquiry, by the cook "De fust bell, sah, is to prepah to prepah for de table; dat bell, when de fust cook don't miss it, is rung one hour befo' mealtime. De second bell, sah, is to prepah for de table; de last bell, to come to de table."

George Alfred Townsend - Campaigns of a Non-Combatant,: and His Romaunt Abroad During the War