The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1901-03-02
CECILIA AT HOME
BY BARRY Pam.

was AT Home. She was wearina her newest
clothes, faint but fixed tinge in her cheeks
and pretty and permanent smile. Her
husband was in the middle distance, look.
ing sad and frightened, doing his best, and
doing it just about as badly as usual; he
was merely cheque signing animal, and by
nature recanse. Her rooms were in the
condition in which Mrs. Garston- Venn loved
to have them; that is to say, her rooms
were so full that you could not move, and
there was SO much conversation that you
could not hear yourself speak.
AT just such time Mrs. Carlson Venn
was In her best element. She knew exactly
what was expected of her as hostess, and
she knew that if she did not meet these ex
pectatons she would be the talk of society
Tor fortnight, that is, of the female por
ton OF society. Not that she cared great
deal what the female portion of society
said-what woman. does?-but she wanted
to do things properly because to do other
wise would disturb her social conscience.
And why should not Mrs. Gartson-Venr
know what to do on such occasions? She
had been dong this very thing year in and
year out ever since she was a child, and thai
was SO many years that it would be unkinc
to mention the number. Her husband had
been attempting his part in the performance
ever since he had been her husband, and
that, too, was a goodly number of years
but then ne had never taken kindly to it
which probably accounted for his lacl
OF ability to perform his part credit
ably. Ii one consulted the women, however,
they would have told one that the husband
was perfection itself, and that if any crit
cisms were in order they should be directed
at Mrs. Gartson-Venn. Such is the way O!
a woman.
l listened to the clatter for a time-s
longer time than liked-for / had come be
low stairs to perform mission, and wal
but waiting for an opportunity.
1t was then that committed deliberate
theft, under the very eyes of middle-aged,
dove-colored lady with a pince-nez, who
looked as If she were in the habit of attend.
ing lectures. She regarded me with horror
and disapproval; / am sure she thought
twice about reporting me to my hostess.
And / do not blame her.
She saw young man, of mean and fur
tive appearance, lift three marrons in their
crinkled paper nests and deposit them deli
cately in the inside pocket of his coat. She
did not know him. If she thought the
worst, had only myself to thank. Then
strong workmanlike young lady began to
hit the grand piano, and /, knowing the
house, made my way upstairs.
There l was received by Miss Cecilia Gar
ston-Venn, who is at present indisputably
too young for tea parties.
You're late" she said.
Eyes, l had to fight my way to the tea
table"
well, have you got them?"
produced the three marrons from my
pocket, which was, fancy, aching to be rid
Of them.
Thanks awfully," she said "But only
threew
Il daren't bring more than twice as much
as would be good for you"
That's mammals idea Everything's good
for me really. Won't you have one!''
The last sentence showed beautiful self
restraint and slight hesitation. And /
think her face cleared somewhat when re-
fused.
Papa never eats sweet things either"
said Miss Garston-Venn. Mamma saws
hat is because of his internal cigarettes"
l suggested that the word mamma had
used was probably not internal" and put
eternal as a varia lectio.
Well, eternal or internal, it's all the
same" q hope this is incorrectly IL saw
Tou half an hour ago, though you didn't see
ne. was looking over the banisters. You
we're all so funny, peacocking about and
cumming like bees. / didn't see Lady
Hardyng though. Was she there?"
Game about ten minutes ago."
That's all right"
"Why?"
well" said Miss Cecilia Garston-Venu.
I'm dressed, you know
I'D noticed the frills."
But I'm not to go down unless they send !
Up for me. Some afternoons Pm dressed |
md they never send for me at ALL hate |
hat; 1t seems such a waste, doesn't it: |
VOW Lady Hardyng always asks for me. |
Ind that said the youthful philosopher,
will mean another three marrons.v
"How's it done?"
oh, well-when l go down shake hands |
Nth one or two people in kind of polite
way, as if I'D been told to do it and had |
raeticed it before. Then 1 suddenly see
lady Hardyng and make rush at her. /
lst hing my arms round her. neck and call |,
ut: oh, am so glad! Do, do stop long
lme! And she looks as pleased as any
hing and says I'm little darling"
''Well"
After that she wants to feed me, and
It her. She likes feeding anything She'd
ooner feed kitten than feed nothing"
And do you love Lady Hardyng?v
Miss Cecilia Garston-Venn wrigg!ed.
Well, no; you can't At least l don't see
ow you can. But she's useful, you know
But you do love partiesy'.
They re all right if you don't think about
hem. like wearing pretty things and be-
g made fuss of and eating anything
hich IS bad for me. But if you do happen to
link about it, then why should you want to
se anybody at all? They're no good. YOU
now. And if they do make fuss with YOU
hen you have to pay for it by making fuss
18th them-and they're never worth it. It's
orst for children, because they're expected
l.