The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-11-12

But, though from time 10 time one
and another of the Chadwicks dropped
in at the farmhouse, they never pene-
trated beyond the somewhat chilly
front parlor. Mary. fear, in spite OF
her Yankee good sense, was little bit
Of snob about her own way IF life.
People with three servants couldn't
understand what it was to have grand
ma picking chickens in the back hall,
and mother hurrying to get the bread
kneaded up, and Dick, in dreadful old
jacket, doing-one didn't know what!
But towards the end of the season she
resolved, and announced to her family
with due solemnity, that the Chad
wicks must all be invited to tea.
''Why, of course, have them here
whenever you like" said her father,
with mans fatuous disregard of de-
tails. They were all gathered in the
sitting-room after evening prayers.
at isn't so simple and easy as you
seem to think" returned Mary, who
was anxious that the home circle
should be impressed with the full Sc
robustness of the undertaking before
she began. "They have everything,
and / do want them to think that We
live like civilized beings. at least,
have the supper pretty well planned
in my mind, and we can get Katie
Foley to come over and wait on table,
guess. I've been to the Chadwicks
so many times that l know just what
it's proper to have, and how to serve
the courses and all that, and can do
the cooking as'well as anyone. OF
course we shall have to have the table
in here"
SIN here? Humbug!" interrupted
Dick. "Why not have tea in the
kitchen, as usual? It's the pleasantest
room in the house, big and airy and
comfortable, especially in summer,
when you don't cook there, anyway
say what's good enough for US"
"Oh, of course-you'd ask Mrs. Chad
wick to eat bread and cold sausage
standing up in the pantry, l dare say
retorted Mary, whose temper was not
proof against opposition; however, as
this is my party, not yours"
"And the lounge, and the sewing
machine, and grandma's work table
and my desk will all have to be lugget
out into the shed, suppose, and the
big table squeezed IMP" pursued Dick
Exactly; now do be quiet. shall
take them up to my room when they
| come" she went on to her mother, Civ
ing Dick decided cold shoulder. ST
looks so nice since / stained the flool
and fixed up a dressing-table. Then they
can amuse themselves little while il
the parlor while we get tea dished W
Kate is too stupid to be trusted will
anything"
"I'll amuse 'em, never you fear" pu
in grandma, who was remarkable ole
lady and great conversatlonalist.
Goodness, grandma" began Mary
she caught her fathers eye and wen
on in a modified tone. ''Of course
mean you to come in, and hope you'll
enjoy yourself, but please don't go of
into one of your endless stories abou
people and things that they dom
know anything about. Remember
they're strangers here, and not alb
sorbingly interested in the Hawkes.,
and the Billingsss. Now about the in
vitations, mother. l thought I'd hav'
written ones, in the third person
Mrs. Fairchild presents her compli
ments-'"
Mrs. Fairchild, who had been listen
ing quietly, pushed up her spectacles a
this suggestion.
''That'd be silly" she said, with tn
serene lack of emphasis which mad
her speeches very effective. "Youmus
recollect, child, that all the trouble 20,
take won't make it anything out G
the common to them. It's prope
enough, though, that it should com
from me, and I'll stop in there in sea
son to ask 'em down."
| "Oh, very well, mother" replie'
Mary, a little taken back by this I'm
expected conversance with the pro
prieties. 81 shall have to fix up m,
blue dress to wear, suppose" sh
continued.
The following Thursday was the ap
pointed day, and Mrs. Fairchild, VIII
called on Monday, reported that tn
ladies would come with pleasure.
Meanwhile new features had develope,
with surprising rapidity, until on
would have thought that at least
presidential visit or wedding receI
tion was impending.
| On Wednesday father went to mil
for a load of grist, while mother placid
| ly did her usual baking and "cleaninI
up" leaving, as Mary gratefully oh
served, an immaculate field for to-mor
rows operations.
At four o'clock that young lady pu
on the striped percale and sat down t
sew. Half an hour later, happening t
glance up, she saw four well-know
figures, in dainty attire, approaching
the gate. She turned white and the
red, and rushed 10 the kitchen, wher
mother stoou oy the window spongin
3 coat.
Mother, mother!" she cried. eth
Chadwicks have mistaken the day, an
here they are, and no tea or anything
What On earth shall do?'
"Where are they?" asked Mrs. Fail
child, quickly,
"Just coming in. Oh, what shall W
do?"
"Why, make the best lit, of course
you can't send 'em away again. TAX