Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-10-25

up smiling. ''Oh, 1 have been here-some
days" she replied.
interjected Rosa, who wasn't going to have any
mistake upon that subject,
Dear me, 80 long as that" said my mother,
lifting her eyebrows. Don't your other
daughters miss you very much, Mrs. >Dimply?"
We'll, they are beginning to complain little
In fact, was saying only this morning that as
soon dear Rosa can spare me really must
take my departure" or she had said ANYTHING
of the kind I'm a Dutchman; but Of course we
didn't contradict her.
NO doubt it is very nice for Rosa to have YOU
lRosa made little face at me, privately. over
her mammals shoulder); but 1 think myself that
the sooner young people get out of leading
strings the better, Nothing teaches housekeep-
ing like few mistakes to begin with"
- Yes, perhaps sou said Mrs Dimply; "but
dear Rosa is so Very INEXPERIENCED
No doubt" said my mother, still more
sweetly. "Isuppose all young wives are at first
starting. But the inexperience soon rubs off
when once they are left to their own devices
Never fear, Rosa, my dear. you'll soon learn
your business If you are let alone.'
Mrs. Dimply looked uncomfortable, and
changed the subject, rather to my own relief
We had supper that evening, my mother being
in the habit of dining at midday, and soon after
the cloth was removed Mrs. Dmply complain
ing that she felt tired, went to bed My mother
sat chatting for an hour or so longer, and then
she. too, wished us good night, and retired.
felt little anxious as to how the old and
new tenants of the spare room would get on
together, their habits being as unlike as well
could be- Mrs. Dimply was, il l may be permit
ted the expression, rather 'stuffy" In her ways
She liked fire in her bedroom and warm water
to wash with, and was dreadfully afraid of
draughts My mother affected cold baths, slept
with her window open summer and winter, and
always declaredthat she could not breathe in a
close room. Mrs. Dimply liked to lie in bed in
the morning, and found it hard work to get
down stairs in time for 9 o'clock breakfast
My mother set her alarum for in the summer
and in winter, and did couple Of hours work
of some kind or other before breakfast. / did
not know how far she would transplant her
country habits to London; but the next MORN
Ing, punctualy at 6, Rosa and were awakened
by sound like sky rocket Of the largest size
suddenly going of in the adjoining room.
GOOD graciOus what's that dreadful noise?"
said Rosa.
That's mothers pet alarum," said laugh
ing. ''She would never forgive herself if she
didn't get up at her usual time"
But what about my poor mother" said Rosa,
laughing in her turn. ''She'u be frightened out
of her senses.'
sob, she'll get used to it after day or two,
and perhaps we shall have her down in proper
time for breakfast. which is more than she has
been for the last three mornings"
"Ah-um!" said Rosa.
"What did you say?" inquired, but found
she had gone to sleep again.
When we went down to breakfast my mother
was already in the dining-room. Rosa asked
her how she had slept. 'Capitally, my dear"
she said ''thank you, I can always sleep well.
But I'm afraid your mamma did not have a VERY
good night. Between ourselves, she was q little
injudicious at supper, and she has suffered for
it,"
AS she spoke. Mrs. Dimply appeared, fully
dressed, but with shetland shawl tied round
her head and looking the picture of misery.
II am sorry to hear you are not very well,
Mrs. Dimply."I said. ':What is the natter"
THE matter! Why. that dreadful open
window to be sure" with an injured glance at
my mother. 1t has given me one OF my worst
neuralgia headaches"
1t appeared that my mother On going to bed
found Mrs. DimpB already asleep. The
ventilation being, according to her notions,
insufficient, she had opened one OF the win
dows about six inches at the top, and kept it
so all night.
SAID my mother sweetly. "Let me assure you
that you are mistaken. I must show you some
day what the celebrated DR.. Dilwater says in
his book, Ventilation and Vitality DR.. Dill
wafer says it's absolutely idiotic. no. to say
criminal, to sleep with ones window shut.
Why, l sleep with my bedroom window open
every night OF my life. and look at mel"
perhaps you have an exceptionally strong
constitution" suggested poor Mrs Dimpy
ION. dear, no. not at all! Indeed. rather the
ie'eiso. itiii naturally Qelcate; out study
the laws OF health If you break the laws of
health, you must pay the fine, you know Now
if might venture. Mrs. Dmply. could tell
you exactly the cause of your headache. OF
course it was not for me to interfere. but was
quite sure last night that you would have
headache this morning"
Indeed" said Mrs. 0inply family.
1es, indeed. 1t was-you're sure you'll for
give me for speaking plainly?-it was those
picked onions at supper. Picked onions, and
hot whisky and water to follow! They're both
very nice. admit; but at our time of lfe' (Mrs
Dimpiy was quite as old as my mother, but
wouldn't have owned to it by ten years) 1--WE
are compelled to be careful. If not, as said
before, We have to pay the penalty. Now will
you let me prescribe for you'll am capital
q can give you one if you like) and it'll put
you to rights directly. But you must really get
In the way OF sleeping with your window open,
If you wish to enjoy good health"
Your remedies are too heroic for me-" said
poor Mrs. Dimply, shaking her head '.And
that dreadful alarum! | declare l haven't got
over the fright it gave me. YETI
did 1t really startle your" said my mother
NOW. do you know | am so used to it that l
hardly notice it. 1t does just wake me, and
that's ALL
'Startle me! The horrid thing frightened
me 80 that | am shaking still. 1 thought the
house was falling down at the very least: and
as TO getting to sleep again after that it was
out VI tile questlOu.
II assure you; you won't mind it in the least
alter few days" said my mother amiably 81
believe it does strike strangers as a little loud.
put it really nothing when you're used to it,
You'll find it won't sound half so loud to-mor-
row morning"
Il trust shant be within hearing of It to-
morrow morning. The girls are wanting me
dreadfnlly at home, and if Rosa will excuse me-
l think shall go to-day. Now that Rosa has
got you to advise her, Mrs. Smithers, l am
really not needed"
Rosa will rub along, Care say though |
shan't trouble her with my advice unless it's
specially asked tor. But am very sorry you
are Obliged to go so sOon HrS. Dimply lust
as we were beginning to know one another. :
am sure we should have got on so nicely to-
gether:. But do hope it's only pleasure de-
ferred"
81 hope so, I'm sure" said Mrs. Dimply, no.
htely. though am sadly afraid she didn't
III tell you what. said my mother. her face
Frightening as If one Of Mr.. BurnaDd's ''happy
thoughts" had just struck her. 'srhe very next
time, Mrs. Dimply you come to stay with Rosa
for few days. Adolphus shall let me know, and
I'll come and keep you company. You prom
Use, Adolphus, don't yOu?"
II do. mother" said with fervor
THAT 8 right: it's an understood thing. I'll
be with you the very same day, or the day after
at latest And we'll sleep with the window
open every night, Mrs. Dimply and get up at
In the morning aud in less than fortnight
you shall be as fat and rosy as am. But you
really mustn't eat any more picked onions for
supper" =