Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1899-01-20
CHAPTER VII

superfiuous teaspoons brought Int
use on the previous evening, Ruby ono
more bursts In upon her solitude.
II have brought over one of Meg
dresses as a guide; and / think thi
merino ought to make up pretily,'
she says, unfolding parcel which sh'
carries, and displaying with some
triumph tiny cotton frock and {
piece OF some light blue material.
Shell pauses In the act OF rubbing ar
imaginary spot from one of the spoons
and stares at the articles produced
with wondering eyes.
What are you talking about?" she
asks, with bewildered stress on the
word ARE"
why, / am going to make dress
for poor little Meg" explains Ruby in
q rather impatient and injured tone.
You must have noticed how badly the
poor childs things fit herr"
Shell turns perfectly crimson.
you can't mean what you say.
Ruby?" she cries In a voice of horror.
you have surely not been offering to
make clothes for Robert Champley's
children"
why not?" demands Ruby. with a
faint flush. II consider 1t only COM
mon act Of charity to help the poor
man when he is in such dire need of
help"
ooh, thsQ. ne asked you to see about
TT" queries Shell, looking relieved.
well, not exactly. We were talk
ing about the children, and l remark
ed that the MUSE seemed to have no
idea how to dress them properly. or
course he objected to my taking any
trouble In the matter, but could see
that he was distressed by what l told
him. So this morning I went over
and caught the nurse just about to cut
out another monstrosity, so / just
marched off her stuff, and one of Meg's
dresses for a pattern"
Wasn't the nurss a trife sur
prlsed?" asks Shell, in dry sarcastic
tone.
"She did seem little put out" adj
mits Ruby, with quick flush. II
shall warn Robert Champley against
that woman. / think he must be mis-
taken in her-she has most shocking |
do you set up as being judge Of
nanners?" asks She'll still sneering.
II set up for knowing when people
Ire rude and disagreeable," answers
Ruby shortly.
She'll having carefully disposed of
Ter last spoon, Is turningly silently
rom the room, when Ruby calls her
Jack.
where are you going?" she asks
rossly.
II am going to lock up the silver"
eplies Shell, without retracing her
teps.
When you have done that 1 wish
on would help me to cut out Meg's
ress-you are so much more used to
hat kind of thing than l am" says
.uby, gazing despondently at the little
ress, which she has been turning in
de out to see how it is fashioned.
II am really very sorry" answers
hell coldly; "but can't possibly help
Oh. never cut out childs dress In !
~ life" s
"Nonsense-don't be so cross-you |
ust do it for mel" cries Ruby, be- &
inning to look alarmed. "Of course
quite reckoned on you. or l shoult I
ever have undertaken such task" |
II am very sorry" repeats Shell. in /
hard. unfeeling voice; "but / don't v
the least understand children's t
ings. l should advise you to send g
r patterns or put 1t out-you will get
, help from me-" And then she |,
lrries from the room, nearly upset. 8
az Violet. whom she meets In the s
ssage. q
Would you believe 1t. vi?-that
-etch of Shell has turned sulky," r
umbles Ruby. as her cousin enters &c
q room. ''She vows she won't help
. with Meg's dress, or even cut 1t d
t. Isn't 1t disagreeable Of her?"
What on earth will you do? I IL
ow you can't manage 1t yourself" I"
ighs Violet-instead OF sympathiz- 81
: she seems only amused at her HI
lsin's dilemma 81
4 am sure I don't know. Do you
nix you could cut one out?" asks W
by hopelessly. IN
1iolet turns the little dress all round
but. then holds 1t out at arms tn
9Th by both sleeves. m
Not II hanging were the alterua- va
e." she laughs; 1T is quite beyond err
j"
Tut for Ruby II is no laughing mat dc
tears OF modification and vexa- se
n force themselves into her eyes. Cf
BAIL Don't take 1t to heart" hs