His mouth watered as she filled a large platter with meat balls while Margret set big mugs of milk on the table and Besta brought a large bowl of steaming hot potatoes. It was a favorite meal of Arne’s, but for once he was the first to finish. He ran around the table to bow to his mother and father with the customary Norwegian, “_Tak for mad_,” which meant, “Thank you for the meal.” Then he said, “Now, let’s get back to that _lutfisk_.”