The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-10-18

at first starting. But the inexperience
soon rubs off when 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 re-
lief. We had supper that evening, my
mother being in the habit of dining at
midday, and soon after the cloth was re-
moved Mrs. Dimply, complaining that she
felt tired, went to bed. My mother sat
chatting for an hour or so longer, and then
she, too, wished us goodnight 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 un-
ike as well could be. Mrs Dimply was,
if may be permitted the expression, rather
''stuffy'' in her ways. She liked a 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 declared that she could not breathe
in 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
alarm 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
morning, punctually at 6, Rosa and were
awakened by sound like sky-rocket of
the largest size suddenly going off in the
adjoining room.
'Good gracious what's that dreadful
noise ?" said Rosa.
"That's mothers pet alarm" l said,
laughing. ''She would never forgive her
self if she didn't get up at her usual time"
''But what about my poor mother ?" said
Rosa, laughing in her turn. "She'H be
frightened out Of her senses"
"Oh, she'll get used to it after day or
two, and perhaps we shall have her down
in proper time fos breakfast" which is
more than she has been for the last three
mornings"
"Ah-um p said Rosa.
"What did you say?" 1 inquired; but l
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. Cap
italy, my DEAR" she said, 'thank you. l
can always sleep well, But | am afraid
your mamma did not have a very good
night, Between ourselves, she was little
iniudicious at supper and she has suffered
for it.
As she spoke, Mrs. Dimply appeared,
fully dressed, with Shetland shawl tied
round her head, and looking the picture of
misery. 81 am sorry to hear you are not
very well, Mrs. Dimply," 1 said. "What
is the matter?' 'The matter! Why,
that dreadful open window, to be sure,
with an injured glance at my mother. at
has given me one of my worst neuralgia
headaches.
1t appeared that my mother on going to
bed found Mrs. Dimply already asleep.
The ventilation being according to her no.
tions insufficient, she had opened one of
the windows about six inches from the top,
and kept it so all night.
"You don't really think it was the win
dow ?" said my mother sweetly. "Let me
assure you that you are mistaken. l must
show you some day what the celebrated
DR.. Dillwater says in his book, Ventilation
and Vitality DIR. Dillwater says it is
absolutely idiotic, not 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 Me !''
Perhaps you have an exceptionally
strong constitution" suggested Mrs. Dimp-
ly:
"0h, dear no, not at all; rather the re-
verse am naturally delicate, but study
the laws of health. If you break the laws
of health you must pay hefne, you know.
Now, if l might venture, Mrs. Dimply,
I 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 morn
ing
"Indeed p said Mrs. Dimply family.
eyes, indeed. 1t was-youre sure you'll
forgive me for speaking plainly Pit was
those picked onions at supper. Picked
onions, and hot whiskey and water to fol-
low They're both very nice, l admit, but
at our time of life (Mrs. Dimply was quite
as old as my mother, but wouldn't have
owned to it by ten years. we are compelled
to be careful. If not, as | have said be-
fore, we have to pay the penalty. Now
will you let me prescribe for you? | am
a capital doctor, | assure you, Just one
Cookies pill 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 alarm l declare 1
haven't got over the fright it gave me
yet
"Did it really startle you ?" said my
mother. "Now, do you know l am so used
to it that hardly notice it. 1t does just
wake me, and that's ALL
"Startle me The horrid thing fright
ened me so that | am shaking still. [
thought the house was falling down at the
very least, and as to getting to sleep again
after that, it was out of the question"
II assure you you won't mind it in the
least after few days" said my mother
amiably. II believe it does strike strang-
ers as a little loud, but it's really nothing
when you're used to it, You'll find it
won't sound half so loud tomorrow morn
ing"
81 trust I shan't be in hearing of it to-
morrow morning. The girls are wanting
me dreadfully at home, and if Rosa will
excuse me l think l shall go to-day. Now,
that Rosa has got you to advise her, Mrs.
Srithers, am really not needed
"Rosa will rub along, dare say, though
| shan't trouble her with any advice, unless
it's specially asked for. But 1 am very
sorry you are obliged to go so soon, Mrs.
r. 4 4