Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-03-16
90 WHEN COMPANY COMES"

There, Jenny, this ~ all right now"
They had been clearing and rearrang-
ang their luxuriant parlor, and Iow that
the work was done, the last particle OF
dust removed and everything set back IN
place, Mrs. Lane looked about her with
the utmost complacency and there was .
world of satisfaction In her voice as she
said
"Thcrc. Jenny, this Is all right now
Drop the curtains and then the room will
bc ready for company any time;' and she
went our, closing the door behind her
carefully.
Left alone, Jenny dropped upon sofa
opposite "A large mirror, and looking
around the room with its graceful mp.
continents, she sighed heavily, saying To
herself, IT Is pleasant here with the
beautiful sunshine streaming in. do
wish We could sit here part OF the time in.
stead OF always staying In those little
dingy back rooms. believe we should
all feel better. but then, mother don't
think 80, and she rose YEARLY to darkcn
the room.
An hour later Mr.. Lane strobe rapidly
up the gravcled walk, with all the haste
which hungry businessman feels
when approaching his home nj dinner
time. Turning the knob hnrriedly he
wheeled impatiently about and walked
round 10 the sidc.d0or, muitering to him.
self:
II wish Maria wouldn't keep forever
locking thai doorrvas IL the front hall was
too good for u man to walk through In his
own house" !.
The dining room was empty and dark,
and after waiting few minutes he pro.
lad t..y l...L tsI ull au ha A n ~
ed, his wife and girls were just setting the
dinner updh the table.
The room was hot, uncomfortable and
swarmipg wiu,fies, the floor was dirty
and the mir filled with the odors Of burned
bread and frled meat.
His brow contracted when he sat down
To the i'll cooked meal that was served up.
on soled tabla.cloth beside hot stove,
and he bit his lip In yexation that his
wife did not think him worthy OF any
better treatment than that. But expert.
ence had taught him that rcmonstrance
MAS foolishness.
:" i told you thai ! was going to keep
the dining. room nice after II was painted
and fixed up" she explained.
III your cousin Eunice fell AZ II she
must go home, was willing TO have her
go, so we could shut up the front part of
the house, and keep the furniture from
fading, and put away the best dishes.
never should have anything decent Ii
wasn't particular with what I've got, and
that Is why have to be SO careful of the
best things.
81 have got tl,e dining fised to my
mind now, and mean to keor II SO AZ
long rs can; we can just as we'll cut In
the kitchen, when there IL NJ tody here
Unit ourselves
Mr. Lane rushed from TIE house as
soon as he had swallowed his unrel.
ished dinner, leaving his wife TO wonder
that he spent SO little OF his time at
home.
40. Jenny, what did you put on that
pink dress torye
Mrs. Lane looked up from her work IN
Consideration, when Jenny came from her
room an hour later.
i'Tour old calico Is plenty good enough
to wear--when there lis nobody here,
avid do you go and tsASc this right OFF,
and hang II away until we have com.
pany
II won't hurt il any, mother the girl
replied hesiiatingly. ~ am sure we
want 10 look well for ourselves, and |