Daily Kennebec journal., 1905-09-01
THEODORA'S PICNICING

down and waited for the supper bell
10 ring.
| Supper was a very quiet meal that
night. Father seemed distracted anG
grandmother had nothing to say, ana
the children for some reason were
unusually subdued. Theodore, in an
odd, detached fashion, as If II were
some one else who was looking on
not she. noticed that Betty was wear
ing one of her best white dresses, anu
that Hannah Ann had burnt the cake
But Hannah Ann was always burning
thing. and as for dresses, Theodora
f.lt that she would not care II Betty
wore tbrea at once, one over the 9TH
er. She made q pretence or eating SO
that nobody should suspect anythlng'
eba even tried TO talk with father and
| ,boueht that she was doing ii WELL
not realizing the long pauses between
her sentences; but as soon as supper
was over she slipped away TO the
hammock. She wanted TO be alone
and think.
Yet it was strange, but she had not
been alone very long before this too
turned into n grievance. She could
hear Molly and see the children laugh
ing out in the garden, and father and
grandmother talking on the piazza.
but nobody came near her. 1t was
very evident that nobody wanted her.
And | tried so hard." she cried with
a long, choking breath. Then sudden
ly she started; she had not heard ia
Tiers step till he stood beside the
hammock.
Asleep, little grip" he asked softly.
Theodore struggled up. "Oh. no.
she cried She felt as if she never
could sleep again. never.
Father reached over and stroked her
hair with awkward tenderness.
Tired Theo?" he asked.
"Oh, so tired" Theo sighed.
Father was silent for a moment.
then he said suddenly, What do you
say to a picnic tomorrow. just you
and I?''
Il? Tomorrow" Theodora repeat
ed.
We used to- father answered
Have you forgotten the way, Ted?'
Theodore caught her breath. For
gotten. Had she forgotten a single
one of those dear, runaway days when
| sho and father had gone wandering to-
gethcr? There had been only five;
| after that things had prevented; bu:
she remembered every moment of them
the excitement of the start, the myS-
terry of their destination, the joy of the
long sun-tilled hours ana the tired.
happy homecoming. 1t had all been
very long ago, back in the days that
| zl~tl r. c1.
only could be Ted again, just for one
day, The old memories came back 50
fast that she forgot that she had not
answered till her fathers voice recalled
| nor.
We'll. dear?"
Theodora came to herself with a
start. 20 father. / can t; there are 50
many things TO do. It's baking day
and Hannah Ann has to be watched
every minute; and there's Molly's waist
| to finish, and the children--they're the
most unexpected children. Oh, no, 1
mustn't think of it, but, oh. how I'd
! love to-" Theodore, speaking very
fast, had no idea OF the wistfulness in
her voice. Father put his hand upon
one of hers; it was ra"y hot and full Of
nervous tremorS.
Il guess well leave things and go
anyhow he said, cheerGuily.
| Through the darkness Theodore
stared at him. Leave things. Oh
father couldn't understand at ALL
Grandmother would tire herself out
and Hannah Ann would make the most
unforesecable blunders, and Molly
would leave everything at skies AMI
gevens and go off with LYDIA Collins
and the chilIren-the-e vas no telling
what the children would 90. Theodore
explained 1t all eagerly--father must
see how it was. But father did not;
seem 10 see at all.
Suppose we try trusting them Il lit
tie, Ted" he said.
You aren't afraid. father" Theodore
cried, incredulous.
Not a Bit" father replied. stoutly.
Grandmother can't DO very many
things in a single day. and if Hannah
Ann burns the cooking why. we'll stand
ii somehow--we have before. AS for
the children. when l think of all the
hairbreadth escapes l had as a young =
ster, I'm willing to trust Providence a
little for Boo and Betty. SO If that's
all the excuse you have
Theodore drew a long breath. Il be-
lieve I'll-go." she said. But the next
moment the old cares Eegan to crowd
about her
| The train leaves at seven-ffty
doesn't it? 1t will be all right to have
breakfast at seven as usual, but I'll
| have To get UP early and put up our
| luncheon and do some things about the
house, and
| Father interrupted neremptorily.
NO you don't. Ted That's not thu
way to begin picnic day. l believe
you've forgotten
But always before"-Theodora be-
gan. She could not finish it. Always
| before. mother had put luncheon up for
| them and walked down to the gate with
them and waved to them as far as they
could see. Father knew what the brok-
en- sentence meant.
We must keep the spirit of the day
as she would want us 20. dear" he said.
gravely; so no getting up early and
firing yourself out before we have even
started. Promise. Theo."
I'll promise" TheO answered. doubt
fully nj raap,a1 ca ctronOa On i'm,