The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-19
AROUND THE SAMOVAR

the samovar gave a soft, muff1ed gurgle
of content and threw out a plume Of
twisting white steam. The visitors in
stantly responded to the fascination of
the sound and Of the glow of the lights by
smiles that steadily broadened as they
were drawn irresistibly and unconsciously
toward the magical convoluted brass pot
that was now fairly dancing in Its ex-
cited ebullitions with accompanying puffs
of steam.
Patricia pushed thru the group and
turned the kissing water into the squatty
earthen teapot and requested Helena to
transfer the samovar to its place on the
tea tray. AS the tea pot was set over the
forepot to brew from five to seven min
utes she foraged rapidly, tossing to one
girl lemon to be cut and to another
box of biscuits to open and fill the jar.
Doesn't that odor fill your soul with
joy? exclaimed Helena as the first frag-
rant Whit of tea greeted their nos
trils." You may think 1t hyperbole, but
1T lifts me completely out Of all the cares
and worries Of the day and I am more
contented than the Persian Omar with
his winecup. OF course the song of the
samovar and your charming society are
factors In my supreme satisfaction with
the world and myself, but with no dis
paragment to you I must attribute the
magical effect chiefly to the beverage that
no one can brew quite as Patricia does.
DO you know, my dear, I think your skill
| is a positive social talent for which you
are responsible and that you have no right
| to exercise it or not as If it were a mere
snowy accomplishment. I think when you
can give such a degree of enjoyment to
your fellow mortals 1t is your bounden
duty to do it as your contribution to the
| amelioration Of the social problem for the
| women -that-work.''
| P9trfci9'S On1v raroIv was inf al
ena's hand the tall graceful glass Of tea
that she had been slowly stirring during
| this outburst.
us it SO much bother to make tea for us
as to be a burden?" Melissa asked in her
quiet, gentle way, as they all sat in the
| most comfortable attitudes slipping the
scalding hot tea and nibbling crisp bis
cults. 1--WE don't want to ask too much
of you, but we've been talking 1t about
several times during all this gloomy
weather. We are always glad to come
| when you ask us, but we'd like to feel
that we were sure Of coming regularly,
and rather often, suspect. We thought
if you didn't feel that it was too much Of
an effort you'd let US have a regular time
| to drop in informally and visit with YOU
| and with each other, with the tea as an
excuse and an Inspiration
! Don't you know you have been haunted
with feeling that you ought to have
|
you ought to do something for other peo-
pie, poor and uninteresting. know you
meant, or thought you did, suggested
| Cornelia, slyly. why can't we be your
mission? You know that we need minis
tertng to quite as much in many ways as
! If we didn't know where our next meal
! was coming from. One of your pet
theories is that we lack inspiring social
life and Melissa's and Helena's idea of
havin gour little coterie meet with you
Around the Samovar would help wonder
fully to bridge that gap. Now say, you
will let u.s. like the dear that you are!'
And Patricia said 'yes," after gazing
with distracted thoughtful eyes at the
samovar for a few moments. She is as
good as her word and tea and talk will be
4 the established order at intervals this sea-
son in a snug ROOM high In big business
blocks. Judged by their desultory meet
! ings in the past these women that work
may say things that will be worth listen
ing to and under the pledge that their dis
| guise Of namelessness shall be preserved
some inklings may be permitted to be re-
peated and If they are, you shall hear
| about them.