The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-08

Professor Hilsdrup tugged at the bell
rope for the second time. and glared
more savagely than ever at the beauti-
full thing in crispy brown and yellow
lying between two sprigs of parsley.
Such a frown when aimed at such an
omelet was unworthy of any fair-mnd-
ed man. All of Mrs. Hodgson's omelets
were wonderful, and this was one of
her best. 1t looked so light as to enjoin
haste in eating II, lest a little draught
should take it out of the open window
into the garden as easily as If 1t were
a thistle-blow; so appetizing as to
pardon beforehand the breach of good
manners in crying aloud for more as
soon as one had finished it. But the
professor regarded it as an enemy
which had treacherously stolen into his
presence with murderous intent. one
aggravation after another had follow
ed since he began the day, an hour
ago, with a headache which promised
a bilious attack in the near future.
When he had taken Mrs. Hodgson's
drawing-room floor, with a sitting
room looking out on a delightful little
garden and the bare walls of the Brit
iSh museum. some three months before,
just as winter was breaking, and set
tied down to work on his Isaac New
ton and His Compeers," such an omelet
had come up in the company Of a we'll
loaded fruit stand for his first break
fast AS he pushed his chair back from
the plate with only faint trace of yell
low left on 1t, he determined to have
that omelets counterpart every morn
ing. He had it., and enjoyed it with
leisurely taste that enriches life for
a man of "a, until friend who intro
duced him to mutton Die luncheons in
the British museum restaurant, assur-
edl him that eggs were the making of
biliousness.
In, truth, between mutton pies and
hard work, the professors stomach was
quite out Of order. He imagined 1t to
be worse than it was, thus making it
worse than it otherwise would have
been, and blamed all to the omelet.
To send UP an omelet after he had or
defed a mutton chop appeared to him
downright mutiny. Mrs. Hodgson was
getting him altogether in her power.
JIe tugged at the bell and scowled, and
determined to have an understand
ing at once.
Good morning, professor" 1t was
Mrs. Hodgson herself who had entered
Don't you know" he growled, that
I am of a billions temperament, and
omelcts are not good for me?"
zone of my omelets" she asked
doubtfully. She had never seen the
professor in such a mood before She
was at once indignant and chagrined
tNn Omelets are alike madam,"
MMinc are no better than anybody
clse's?"
7Madam," "icontinued the professor ir
cSid, hard voice II told Harriet last
night that l most especially wanted q
mutton chop for breakfast"
fThen-I ate it,"
'fYou ate it,"
"Yes--I didn't know, Harrie. didn't
say anything to me about it L sup
posed you would have an omelet, as you
always had"
"Always ysl-Always, For three months
It's wonder that l have anything il
my body except liver" He tried tC
annihilate the omelet with one glance
and Mrs Hodgson with another.
'When | saw only one chop in the
) larder,," said Mrs. Hodgson, her nat
ural snap and dignity returned. sup
pose it was for me, of course as
usually have a mutton chop for break
fast" s.
"Ah! You don't eat your own ONE
let's.
you don't eat your own manu-
scripts she replied with asperity
IF you will wait-only a few minutes
I will send out for chop" she added
more pleasantly.
NO" said the professor, sittin,
down at the table with the air of
martyr. mo, will eat this now tina
it is here. And, Mrs Hodgson, / wisl
you would not arrange my papers ol
my desk any more. Don't touch m.
desk. You can throw away anything
you find on the floor"
But, sir. you showed me how to ar
range them when you first came. ant
you said | did it so nicely and savet
N9i a'l6t of:trouble"
This was too much. The professo
felt that his dignity was at stake.
Mrs. Hodgson," he thundered, "
shall leave when my week is up!'
She tossed her head and said, ."Ver
well, with aggravating sweetnes.
The professor settled down to hi
breakfast -nuttering something abou
"imprudent women" Once out in tn
hall, Mrs. Hodgson stamped her foo
and exclaimed. THE old fool"
That . omelet tasted uncommonl
well, as if to tantalize him. He ate
all, even to the last fragment, whic
tantalized him still further. Then h
went over to his desk to write. His per
his paper, his notebook were wher
Mrs. Hodgson had placed them, whic
was just where they ought to be. Thl
also was most tantalizing. Yet h
found himself. a few moments te
carrying his oVercoat downstairs o
his arm as usual and harboring
faint notion that he ought to forgiv
Mrs. Hodgson. She was pruning tn
flowers on the stand in the hall, an
Harriet was near her, receiving som
orders
Mrs. Hodgson would you-ah?"-,
he asked politely.
Harriet" said Mrs Hodgson a
she continued to snip off dead leave
help the gentleman on with his ovel
coat"
AS he went out the prOfessC
slammed the door so hard as fairly
make the flower pots tremble, but Mr.
Hodgson- onty smiled, She had recoN
nY MHbTHEsH