The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-04-06

also a dainty rustic about Miss Bates
as she walked into the drawing-room
/ This, of course, cannot be explained eX-
! cept by the remark that Jane made to
herself as she heard the rustling.
Silk, I'll be bound!" she said.
At the tea table there was an awk-
ward Hilence for some time, broken
only by Miss Bates admonition to
Henry that he mustn't pour his tea
out into his saucer, as it wasn't man.
ners, and her explanation to Jane that
she would eat her cake without taking
off her gloves, as you didn't take off
your gloves nowadays in good society.
Jane scowled, but Henry smilingly
nodded his approval. In his minds
eye he could see himself already mix
ing with the peerage on terms of pleas
ing equality For the greater part Of
the time Miss Bates looked searchingly
round the room at the old-fashioned
furniture and decorations, while Jane
followed her every glance as if pre-
pared to defend the house from any
and all outside criticism Finally,
! Miss Bates spoke, and at her first
words Jane sat back in her chair and
pressed her two fingers on her lips as
measure of prudence.
II don't think much of the way the
furniture's arranged, Miss Biddock, {"
she said, with superior curl of the
lip II should ave put those two
vawses on the mantelshelf. and Won
der you don't tie few bits of ribbon
on the chairs to make 'em look stylish
It's quite the rage in society now
shouldn't ave that gran fathers clock
so close to the window; what do you
think, 'Enry, dear?"
Henry, thus appealed to, said the
clock should be moved to whatever
part of the room Florrie might choose.
Jane remained dumb. The things she
had to say were not to be readily reu-
dered into polite English, and she kept
her lips closed with her fingers, and
looked at each piece of furniture stead
lily as its turn came for criticism Tho
grandfather's clock had always stood
by the window because that was the
place that James mother had decided
upon for it. Men do not think OF these
things; but to women, and especially
to women who are alone, as Jane felt
herself to be then, these little spots
of mothers choosing are holy ground
Presently Miss Bates came to the
object OF her call. Looking at Jane
with a patronizing smile, she in
quired:
well, what shall you do when we're
married? We shan't be able to ave
you ere, you know, though. of course,
Enry will make some sort of provi-
sion for you"
Quite so, quite So" acquiesced
Henry, in accordance with the prear-
ranged compact; and as he spoke he
kept his gaze on the ceiling for fear
Jane should catch his eye and address
him personally and voluminously.
81 shall wait here until my brother
turns me out" said Jane, in tone
that was mixture of pathos and de-
| fiance. ut ses in the scripcher-''
Yes, we know all about that" in
terrupted Miss Bates. But when Pm
married I'm goin' to be missis in my
own 'ouse And there amt room for
the two of u.s.
'Ardly," acquiesced Henry, as be-
fore.
81 was ere first said Jane, dog
gedly.
Why don't you be reasonable about
it. Jane?" began Henry. You must ha'
got sense enough to see"
You leave 'er to me- interrupted
Miss Bates, turning upon Henry with
rather unexpected sharpness. 81 can
fight my own battles"
A quiet smile fiickered across James
lips. Il 'ope," she said. in her best
and most conclusive style, that my
brother will never ave no cause to
repent of is marriage
What d'you mean?" inquired Miss
Bates, starting to her feet and turn
ing crimson.
1T ses in the scripcher," said Jane,
speaking firmly and deliberately, that
it's better to live alone at the top OF
the 'ouse than downstairs with a
brawlin' woman
Did you ear that, 'Enry?" gasped
Miss Bates, controlling herself with
difficulty. Are you goin' to stand by
and see me spoke to like this? Don't
stay there like stuffed pig. What
ave you got to say?"
For the moment it was clear The:
Henry had nothing to say. He rubbed
the side of his head and looked puz-
zled; and Jane, seeing chance to take
up the conversation, improved upon it
accordingly.
'Enry amt used to bein' flew at,
young woman" she said. "'E's lived
quiet, peaceful life ere for over 40
years and 'e's new to your kind o.
company Likewise, when you're in
the presence of people as was grown
up before you was born, you SHOULD
bear yourself accordin'. 1t says in the
scripcher that the younger should sub
nit to the elder, and 'Enry's Old
enough to be your father, and you there
talkin' to i'm as if he was your equal.
'Enry's my brother, an e's worth SO o.
you, an the sooner you find 1T out the
better for both Of you!"
Miss Bates. white with anger.
Ctry Il l. g. 0ys