Daily globe., 1879-02-09
Always Behind Hand.

Supper was ready and waiting. Orr
guests had not arrived, but there was an
other train an hour later. Should the
family wait for my friend or should 7
alone, who was the parsonage especial
to be visited! My father paced the floor
nervously as was his wont when he felt
disturbed. He had the evening papers to
read, and he never opened them until af-
ter tea. This was a habit of his. He was
very fixed-or as some express it, "set''-
in his little ways. It was Bridget's even
ing out, and she had begun to show q
darkenel visage. Bridget was no friend
to company and it was policy to con-
ciliate her. So the family seated them.
selves at the table, and l sat near, wait
ing until brother John should be ready
to accompany me second time to the
station. "What about this young lady
friend Of yours, Nelly9" asked my father.
sis she one of the unreliable sort, little
addicted to tardiness, tnat is?' "i am
obliged to confess, papa, that at boarding
school where longest knew Jeannett.
that she was inclined to be dilatory; but
that was years ago. It is to be hoped
that she has changed since then" 81
should wish to have very ttle to do with
a behind hand person." Said nv father.
shaking his head very gravely. ooh.
papa!: demonstrated, "you will not con-
demn dear friend for single fault.
Jeannett is beautiful and accomplished,
sensible and good tempered. Every BODY
thinks she is splendid" She may have
very pleasant qualities, but tell YOU.
girls,' he added with sudden emphasis.
"that want of punctuality vitiates che
whole character. No one Is good for
much WHO can not be depended upon, and
what dependence is to be placed in a
man who is not up to his engagements?
In business, such man is nowhere; and
in social life dawdling, dilatory man or
woman is simply pest. But mind, my
child, I am not characterizing your friend /;
we can not tell about her until we see."
The later train brought nv friend.
She was profuse in her regrets; she had
been belated by mistake in the time: !:
her watch was slow. As she was pouring
forth torrent of regrets and apologies,
I observed my father bestowing glances
of evident admiration at the fair speaker,
while the rich color came and went in
her cheeks, and her eyes kindled with
animation, Truly beauty covers null
titude of faults. Sister Belle, who was as
punctual as my father, was appeased and
promised to take care of the tea-thines
and let Bridget go out. My father, good
naturedly, offered to regulate the hating
watch by the true time. To her chamber
we went together, to talk as girls do talk
when they meet in this way, after long
separation. Holding me in her arms, she
tod me all about her recent engagement
to George Allibone, showed me her en-
gagement ring and her lovers photograph.
1t was noble head, finely posed, and a
most engaging face, and my ready and
cordial admiration was a new bond of
sympathy. It took until nearly midnight
to say all that girls (aged 20) had to say
to each other, aud this, in addition to the
tatigues Of travel, was excepted as an ex-
cuse for Jennie's tardiness at breakfast.
She really had meant to be ready; but
this was only the beginning. Though
out the whole three weeks Of her visit,
she was scarcely punctual in single
case where time was definitely appointed.
She was late in rising, late at meals, late
at church and for excursions, and to our
profound modification, late at dinier ap.
pointments, even when parties were
made especially on her account. She
seemed sorry and mortified, but on each
occasion she would do the same thing
over again.
'What can she be dolng2" my mother
sometimes asked in perplexity, when my
sister and | were ready and waiting
"Doing her hair, MOTHER" we answered
'and she will do it over until it suits her
be it early or late" "Oh, these hair.
works!" sighed my mother. s'How much
hardness at church or elsewhere is due tc
over-fastidious hair dressing! What il
that good line of George Herbert's9 Stay
not Tor the other PIN I think he mus,
have meant hair-pins." My sister and
sometimes agreed between ourselves t.
help her in her preparations, but in vain
She must write letter or finish story
before making her toilet. Why not ac
complish the toilet first, to be sure of il
any time remaining, for the other pur
poses; she didn't like to do so. No phil
osopher could tell why. It is an unac
countable, mysterious something rooted
deep in some peoples natures, this aver
sion to being beforehand. I have seen i
in other people since the time when it s,
puzzled and troubled me in Jenny. L
marred the pleasure of the visit mos
miserably. was continually feeling th,
displeasure of my father and the discom
fort of my mother. The whole household
were disturbed by what seemed to then
downright rudeness. "Now, Jenny"
would plead, "do be early, dear, whel