The San Francisco call., 1903-12-27


undertaker's a-goin'! They're all got
the Quinsy sore throat"
How does he look? I don't see s
he looks so turrable."
why Emarine Farmer! Ey'rybody
in town says he looks so! / only hope
they don't know what ails himi"
What does all him?" cried out En-
arine, fercely. What are you hintin'
at?''
We'll. if you don't know what ails
him you'd ought to: so I'll tell you.
He's dSin' by inches ever since you
turned his mother out O. DOORS"
Emarine turned pale. Sheet light
ming played in her eyes.
"Oh, you'd ought to talk about my
turnin' her OUT" she burst out, fu-
riously After you a-settin' here
a-quar'rn with her in this very kitchen,
an eggin' me on, Want she goin to
turn you out of your own daughters
home? Want that what 1 turned her
out fer? 1 didn't turn her out, any
how I only told Orville this house
wa Mt big enough fer his mother an
me- an that neither O. US 'u'd knuckle
down, so he'd best take his choice.
You'd ought to talk"
We'll if 1 egged you on, I'm sorry
for t." said Mrs. Endey, solemnly.
Ever sence that fit O. sickness I had
a month ago, I've felt kind o. old an
no-account myself, as if I'd like to let
all holts go an Jest rest. 1 don't spunk
up like I ust to. No, he didn't go TO
Peterson's-he's GAVIN right on. Ny
landl l wonder f it amt old Gran ma
Eliot; she had a bad spell-no, he
didn't turn that corner. I can't think.
where he's goin' to-"
She sat down with a sigh of de-
feat.
A smile glimmed palely across
Emarine's face and was gone. May
be if you'd go up in the attic you
could see better" she suggested dryly.
"Oh. Emarine, here comes old Gram
ma Eliot herselfI Run an open the
door fer her She's limpin' worse n
usual
Emarine flew to the door Grand
ma Eliot was one of the few peo-
pie she loved. She was large and
motherly. She wore a black dress
and shawl and a funny bonnet with
a frill of white lace around her brow.
Emarine's face softened when she
kissed her. I'm so glad to see you,"
Even Mrs. Endey's face underwent
a change. Usually it wore a look of
doubt, if not of positive suspicion, but
now it fairly beamed. She shook
hands cordially with the guest and led
her to a comfortable chair.
Il know your rheumatic is worse"
she said cheerfully, because you're
limpin so. oh, did you see the under
taker go up by here? We can't think
where he's goin to. d you happen
to know?"
''No, I don't, an I don't want to,
neither" Mrs. Eliot laughed comfort
ably. Mis- Endey, you don't ketch
me foolin' with undertakers till have
to-" She sat down and removed her
black cotton gloves. I'm gettin to
that age when 1 don't care much
where undertakers go to so longs they
let me alone. Fixin' fer Christmas
dinner, Emarine, dear?''
Yes, ma'am,' said Emarine in her
very gentlest tone Her mother had
never said dear" to her, and the
sound of it on this old lady's lips was
sweet. Wont you come an take
dinner with us?"
The old lady laughed merrily. "Oh,
dearie me, dearie me! You don't guess
my sons folks could spare me now, do
you? l spend ev'ry Christmas there.
They most carry me on two chips. My
sons wife, Sidonie, she nearly runs
her feet off waitin' on me. She can't
do enough for me. My! Mrs. Endey,
you don't know what a comfort a
daughter-in-law is when you get old
an feeble,'
Emarine's face turned red. She
went to the table and stood with her
back to the older women; but her
mothers sharp eyes observed that her
ears grew scarlet.
AN never will" said Mrs. Endey,
grimly.
You've got a son-in-law, though,
who's worth a whole townful of most
sons-in-law. He was such a good son,
too. Jest worshiped his mother;
couldn't bear her out o. his sight He
humored her high and low. That's Jest
the way Sidonie does with me. I'm
gettin' cranky's get older, an some
times I'm reel cross an sassy to her;
but she jest laffs at me an then comes
an kisses. me, an I'm all right again.
It's a blessin right from God to have
a daughter-in-law. like that"
The knife in Emarine's hand slipped,
and she uttered a little cry.
Hurt you?" demanded her mother,
sternly. -
Emarine was silent. and did not turn.
"Cut you, Emarine? Why don't you
answer me? .Aigb?"
"A little" said Emarine. She went
into the pantry and presently returned
with. narrow strip of muslin, which
she wound around her finger.
wei, I never see, You never will
learn any gumption.- Why don't you
look what. you're about? Now 20
around Christmas with your finger all
tied uo.'' -
"Oh. that'll be all right by to-mor-
= row," said Mrs. Eliot,la cheerfully.
Won't it, Emarine2 Never. cry over
split milk, Mrs Endey; it makes a body
get wrinkles too fast. o. course, Or
viIle's mothers. comm to take dinner