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

"It struck me this afternoon that a dish
Of tea would be very comfy and the best
possible antidote for this nasty weather.
announced Helena in the gray dusk of
the doorway of Patricia's private office
one raw, lonely day this week. Don't
tell me that you are busy or are expect
ing a caller on business, for it's time for
you to quit and won't be refused"
To a detected and weak response from
the depths of the sofa cushions inviting
her to come in, Helena continued more
decisively: ''Wel, I came for consolation
and here T find you in more need Of 1t
than I; had altruistic motives in my
call, quite the reverse, but see that there
Is a splendid opportunity for making good
my claim to a membership in the Sun
sinners by cheering you up. My method
will be nothing complex nor mysterious"
she remarked as she reached for the cleo
trio light button, 'just a flood of light and
the cup that cheers. I might have been
induced to deny myself the luxury of the
steaming cup my mind has been set on
all afternoon, but it is SO plainly evident
that you are in need Of its solace that
shall insist on having it-not on your
making it, tho, If you can put up with my
incompetency and awkwardness and will
tell me what to do"
exhibiting slightly more animated man
ner. REALLY, your decisiveness, or the
light or the idea Of tea seems to be having
reviving effect on me already, she said
pushing back her hair and blinking little
in the dazzling illumination caused by Hell
enas extravagant flood Of light didn't
think the half hour before you came in that
should ever have enough interest In any
thing again toturn my hand over to get it.
When bowed out my last caller simply
dropped and don't feel sure that If any
one had offered me the other kingdom Of
the world on SLAYER, I would have raised
on my elbow to reach for It.. Queer, isn't
TT? she continued as she arose, giving
herself little impatient shake, ut didn't
require even a mess of pottage to bring
me back to normal state Of mind-only
a dish of tea"
Now that my blood has begun to stir a
little, / think I will add one element to
your scheme Of distributing sunshine by
offering to make the tea over the samovar
as an evidence Of my appreciation of your
good intentions Of cheering me. The hum
of the steam is the cheerfulest sound
know; think it must be the working
woman's version Of the old-time kettle on
the hob"
An arm around h1r waist and quick,
impulsive squeeze was the first response
to this offer. ooh, you are a dear"
Helena exclaimed "That was what I
particularly wanted and meant to ask you
to do as 7 planned to come over, but
when I saw you in such disconsolate
heap didn't dare to suggest it, for fear
Uof overwhelming you, and I knew I
should make mess of starting the sam
ovar and that you'd have to rights things
in the end besides having to endure
the trial of watching make the at
tempt am terribly out Of conceit with
alcohol kettles and teaballs, but thought
that kind of tea preferable to none
4T,o dow tSA
chimney continued Helena. MY mus
Gle Is all right, If my fingers and wits are
not equal to fire making in a samovar.'
In the interval Patricia had swiftly
opened a box, and. taking out a few small
Jumps of charcoal, had laid them on a
dish and poured over them a little al
cohol This was quickly absorbed and
they were popped into the central frepot
of the shiny brass urn on the table. A
match was dropped in and ruddy flame
shot up as Patricia stepped back for a
moment. More charcoal was fed into
the fire and the water chamber filled be-
fore the fumes Of the charcoal began to
assert themselves, as Helena whisked the
samovar off the table and swung 1t into
the empty CRATE, where they were drawn
up the chimney.
you didn't put all that water in to
make tea for. two, did you?" Helena in
quired, as she dropped on the hearth rug
to watch the steady glow Of the Goals thru
the openings Of the samovar CRATE.
mo. My returning cheerfulness is be-
coming expansive; I thought perhaps
telepathy would warn some of the girls
that tea drinking around the samovar was
about to be resumed. and, if it doesn't
by the time the water is hot, you can
call them up while / brew the tea A
confused shuttle Of footsteps at the door
l,eralded the approach Of the visitors, and
Helena bounded up to throw open the
b door before they could knock. Is
Were all ready for YOU" she cried
Il gatly as she waved into the room three
short-skirted young women whose crisp
decisiveness stamped them instantly as
I women who work. Just at this moment