The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-08-02
No. 81.

or heard of you beforep Besides, you come
at an awkward time, when nobody is at
home. And for aught know, you may be
an impostor, and have watched your oppor.
tunity to enter the house when it is unpro-
tected. don't think you are that, though,
you are not polite enough. But one never
knows
Upon my word, you are not fattering.
Still, at any rate, think yon might have
offered me some refreshment, as have just
come off journey"
81 am very sorry" said Noddy; "but
Mrs. Mueller has taken the keys with her.
| can only offer you cup of tea or coffee,
and some bread and butter. Everything
else is locked np.'
AS Mr.. Frank seemed to think that woulG
Go very well indeed, Noddy went out to pre-
pare it, and presently returned with a tray
Of tea and coffee and single cup.
Too cups, please" said Mr.. Frank
Norah was not generally accustomed to
take her meals with the family. She was
certain Mrs. Mueller would not like this
arrangement, but divining a refusal might
prove embarrassing, she brought second
cup, and joined Mr.. Googagan at tea.
When they had finished, Mr.. Geogagan
said he should walk up to the station to
arrange about his luggage being sent, and
on his return he should insist on Noddy
giving him some music. In five minutes
in walked Mr.. Frank again. clamorous for
his music Now Noddy was never in the
habit of playing for anybody's amuseme
but her own, and was quite certain if Mrs.
Mueller heard of her taking the liberty of
playing to please a visitor, it would be
considered q deadly offence. Moreover.
she expected Mrs. Mueller to arrive every
minute.
But Mr.. Frank insisted with such vehem-
ence that refusal seemed like palpable af-
iectation; so Noddy risked the consequences
and began to play Mozart's Al Perdona
She had only got halfway through it,
when Mrs. Mueller andJulia appeared at
the window. Noddy shut up the piano.
threw down her music, and fed.
|
"What impertinence !" calculated the
widow. She was so fairly astounded at
Noddy's barefaced impudence, as to be be-
trayed into making this remark aloud
and Frank Geogagan heard it. She had the
tact, however, at once to divine it, Nnd to
correct her mistake "What impertinence,
Mr.. Frank, of you, to be sure, to come and
take us all by surprise without a warning
However, we must try and overlook it, as il
is your first offence. Pm sure hope it will
ceive you, although, had you told us when
to expect you, we might have given you
better reception"
"Well,' said Mr.. Frank Cbut he detected
the artifce) ~ thought told you pretty
exactly. said 'in day or two if re-
member rightly, and | came in "a day in
stead Of two, to show my anxiety to pay
my earliest respects to my aunt and her
daughter,-ior presume this is Julia ?''-
Julia made most finished reoerenee and
offered her hand in the most approved
style. Julia was well and carefully dressed
for the croquet party. "That is fortunate,
at any rate" Mrs. Mueller thought. We
might have been surprised at greater disad-
vantage, So much depends upon first i'm
pressions."
A few interchanges of eourtesies from
the ladies' with commvnplaces from Mr..
Frank, and Mrs Mueller and her daughter
retired to remove their bonnets,-if the lit.
tie bits of flowers and lace adorning their
hair might be so designated. Mrs. Mueller
took this opportunity of administering a
severe rebuke to Noddy upon her boldness,
forwardness, and presumption in attempt
ing to entertain their visitor in manner SC
, unbecoming,
LTo BE CONTINUED.