The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1879-09-19
miscellaneous.
A Hurried Dinner.

ooh, see here Lizzie, shan't be home tC
dinner to-day; there's a lot to do at the Office
and I'll not come home"
| This speech came from my liege lord Char
ley as he popped his head in at the front door
after he had started to his business.
"All right" said l.
The head popped out again, and added tc
myself:
"Mighty glad of it. I won't have any tc
get, and l will have good day to work ur
stairs"
So | cleared away the breakfast, tidied ur
the rooms, and after that l took myself off ul
stairs.
| We had not been keeping house very long
and | made it rule not to let things become
soiled by using, but to keep them clean and
fresh. But up stairs there were certain trunks
and boxes that needed renovating, some ofthC
summer clothing was to be packed away and
| the winter gear got out and made ready fol
use l tied handkerchief over my head tc
keep the dust out, pulled trunks and boxes
out of the closet, and set to work. | was in
the very midst Of it, when l heard footsteps
at the front door, and directly it opened II
was Charley, | knew, for he had q latch-key
and was accustomed to letting himself in.
jumped to my feet.
"Charley, and not a sign of dinner p / ex.
claimed. "He said he wouldn't come. What
can have brought him ?"
| The sound of voices, as ! stood listening
assured me of what Charley had brought
Visitors, and such plight.
Charley came running upstairs, with his
face in glow,
| "Why, why, little woman, what's this2
couldn't find you anywhere down stairs. Isn't
it dinner timeY
| eyes, Charley, but you said you were moi
coming home, and didn'twant anything fol
myself"
"Well, II wasn't. But who do you think
| | met 7"
81 don't know, Pm sure"
at was Liston and his wife They were
on their way to hotel, but of course
wouldn't allow that. just brought them
home with me to dinner"
| have no doubt there was a spice of irony
in the tone in which l answered, calmly:
ayes, see you did. Well, I hope you also
remembered to stop atthe butchers and send
in something for them to eat"
| "Well, declare, little woman, forgot the
butcher. But / dare say you can scare up
hour or so to spare. They're off again this
evening"
II knew it was of no use to say to a man
why didn't you send me word"
| Il wouldn't teach him to send it next time
So l only said:
swell, go down and entertain them and III
come as soon as l can change my dress"
Charley obeyed, and hurriedly dressed, NOT
| in the pleasantest mood.
They were old friends of Charley's and
had looked forward to meeting them with
pleasure but knew Mrs. Liston was quoted
rs the very pattern of housekeepers, never
Hurried or put out by anything. 1kncw, too
that she had means and servants at her com
mand, while had neither, and dreaded to re
ceive in such manner more than can tell
but as many suffering sister will readily
comprehend.
With my hasty dressing l knew my cheeks
were flushed and my hair tumbled. But il
fire during the introductions as well as could
quite conscious that instead of appearing my
best was appearing my worst as even Char
ley could see.
AS soon as possible excused myself, say
ing, by way of apology, that / was not cx
pecting Charley, and must prepare dinner il
haste.
"Pray don't put yourself to any trouble,
said Mrs. Liston, politely.
at is no trouble at all, as politely repli,d
feeling as went to the kitchen that the small
speech was a tib, for was almost at my wits
end to know what to do"
A happy thought struck mel
Oysters!
A regular dinner was not to be thought OF
but most people were fond of oysters. Iknev
Charley was and could prepare them well
They were to be had opposite, and was no
self of half a cake, which luckily had. Tha
nicely sliced in my basket, would answer 70
dessert, with some apples which bought witt
the oysters Really, should not do so bad
ly for an impromptu occasion. My spirit
rose as set the table, adjoining it with clus
ter of fresh chrysanthemums, and with wha
glass and silver possessed, so that it locke
very neat and pretty. That, at least, MR.
Liston could not find any fault with, even
she were disposed to do 80.
Charley had said hurry, and hurry die
As speedily as possible I had every thing read
on the table and the dessert arranged on
shelf by the open pantry window, so that
could put it on at once.
Tired, flushed, nervous and doing my bes
. not to look cross, went to the parlor, wher
they were chatting gayly and announced dir
ner.
Then that awkward Charley must put hi
foot into it, n-fashion, by SAYING:
my little wife is famous cook. hop
you have q good appetite"
"Indeed have. Travelling always make
me hungry" replied Mr.. Liston, rising.
made some laughing reply, and led til
way to my little dinner.
"Ah, oysters my favorites," said Mr.. Lii
, ton.
was glad to hear that, but my heart san
when Mrs. Liston declined to take any, ga,
ing she never ate them.
II am SO sorry" said flushing "But
will poach you couple of eggs"
"By no MEANS" she said pleasantly, II sha
do very well with one Ofthesc rolls and GU
of coffee"
!. And when insisted she was obliged
1 say that she never ate eggs.