The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1905-02-10


atre. Tell him am out-you can say
went to- the aunts' tea this afternoon
that is true, you know, so it's all right
He will think | stayed somewhere 70
dinner. There, he's rung the bell-hurry
Bridget Be sure you get it right Tel
him he can have dinner in about fifteel
or twenty minutes"
Bridget was fearful and not responsive
but she went, and Cecily hoped for tn
best.
Evidently the explanation served, 70
there was no calling. There was tramp
ing of feet upstairs and young mem
voices chatting one another from room t.
room with laugh every now and then
Cecily, meanwhile, with the trailing
skirt of her gown tucked into her belt
her sleeves rolled up, checked apron
tied round her waist and her precious ha
tossed into chair, was busy preparing
dinner.
The soup stock was in the ice chest
Cecily got out her cook book and turned
hastily to Soups" 1t seemed simple
She put in the tomatoes and set the ket
tie on the stove to boil
Bridget was despatched upstairs tc
telephone for oysters and, while she wa:
gone, Cecily, catching sight of the cauli
flower, SKINNED hastily through the di
rections in her cook book and set the eau
lihower on to boil Cream sause," the
book said, and Cecily brought the milk
from the ice chest, but unfortunately, ii
her haste, she spilled two-thirds of it or
the floor She had no time to wipe it up
she left that for Bridget; she was in the
pantry, hunting for can of peas.
The fshman was wonderfully prompt
he appeared in less than ten minutes
with the oysters opened in their shells
The butcher came in few minutes with
the steak, and Cecilv went about the
broiling of it with enthusiasm, standing
over the stove till her face grew crimson
Bridget was no help at all. She had nc
knowledge, no suggestions, and when
Cecily found that the table had not even
been set, she sent her upstairs to the din,
ing room with mingled feelings of i'm
patience and relief.
At a quarter of seven there came ring
from the bell at the speaking tube; ap,
parently Bob was growing hungry.
Cecily put her head at the dumb waiter
and called to Bridget to come down and
answer. A second sharp ring, and a
third. By that time Bridget was in the
kitchen and responded
Dinner will be ready in a minute, Mr..
Robert"
Then Cecily cracked ice and arranged
the oysters in their dishes with zeal and
precision that should have inspired the
dullest sernant to action or, at least, to
cheerfulness. But it had no effect on
Bridget.
Duly she climbed the stairs, listiessly
she informed the host and his guests that
dinner was served; downcast, she waited
on extraordinarily, they needed very
little waiting upon. They were strong
and able aud eminently cheerful, and
quite willing to reach out for themselves.
Cecily dressed lettuce salad down
stairs in the kitchen. She gave them
crackers and cheese for dessert. Men
like that better than buildings and
things, anyway" she told herself. Last,
she made really delicious coffee in the
French coffee pot.
Then, taking her hat from the chair,
she smoothed out its long feather care
fully, and sat down, to give herself the
benefit of well-earned rest.
The mountain of dishes was before her,
but she surveyed them with a careless
eye. She felt the pride of strenuous cf-
fort. ably ended. She reflected that
Bridget would wash the dishes. She was
conscious of feeling sympathy for Bridget;
but for herself, only congratulation. Her
toll was over.
1t seemed to Cecily that her brother
and his friends sat long time over their
meal and, indeed, they did, for they
found it very good. At last, however,
they left the room. Cecily heard them go
out. She waited minute, then went to
A. J,,,,,b ,,,,;ta- o,d colIad T., pr;duaf
There was no response. Cecily called
again; still no answer. Divided between
indignation and apprehension, Cecily
went upstairs and found Bridget huddled
in a chair in the pantry.
She complained of her headache, and it
was evident she was suffering. She was
the type of green Irish girl who. though
dull and sluggish in temperament, is
easily upset and unstrung, and the vio-
lent scene with the cook had been too
much for her. Cecily sent her to bed,
finally, and went back to the kitchen.
alone.
She was tired and hot, and she sat
down and looked about her. There
isn't any need of my cleaning up the
place. she said to herself.
Then there came to her vision of her
mother coming back from the city after
her happy day, to find the kitchen minus
a cook and in a state of confusion.
'Mother will have TO come down here
tomorrow morning and cook things for
those men and she won't be able to find
her way about" said Cecily to herself.
She knew her mothers passion for neat
ness. Mrs. Selfridge was an excellent
cook and did not mind being obliged, as
surburbanites frequently are, to prepare
the meals for her family now and then.
But she insisted upon spotless kitchen;
she could not cook, as she said, using a
homely little phrase of her grandmoth,
er's, Sin a mux."
Cecily pictured her mother trying to
get breakfast in that tumultuous kitchen;
and the thought inspired her to action