Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-06
A LESSON IN TACT
BY MARGARET f. SANGSTER.
Copyright, 1908, by Joseph b. Bowles.)

OUISE, who Is a girl neighbor. came
into my living room the other day
- looking very forlorn. She flung her
self into a chair. the corners of her mouth
dropped and 1 saw that tears were not very
far from her honest brown eyes. Louise has
those big brown eyes that show soul so
true and loyal that it has In it not the
faintest possibility for deceit. ! have seen
dogs with eyes that have exactly that ex-
preston.
What is the matter?" / said. Have you
found out that your doll is stuffed with saw
dust, or has your dearest friend picked up
her playthings and gone home? You APP
pear to have met with some provoking dis
appointment. Did you not get on the pro-
motion list after all your work? Come,
dear pour out your trouble. Tell me what
has happened. Perhaps ] can help you.
I've been in hard places myself.
Louise managed to smile little as she
answered. THE trouble isn't one that you
can cure. 1t is just that am such an idiot
of girl, always saying the wrong thing and
making mistakes and setting people against
me. 1 have done 1t three times today; 1
have three times said the wrong thing, and
am completely discouraged.
I'm the first place I met Mena Carson on
her way to school this morning. She was In
very good spirits and told me that she was
sure she would have perfect recitation In
geometry, she had worked out every
proposition correctly last evening. l had
nothing better to answer than: That VIII
be a change for you. ] know that your
Cousin Tom Is visiting your house, ana L
suppose he helped YOU.
Now, that was the worst and most In
sulting remark I could have made, for Mena
is very dull in mathematics, and, as every
body knows, her people at home are not
particularly well educated. l called atten-
ton In breath to her own stupidity and
to the fact that she couldn't have made her
preparation unless Tom Winthrop had been
there to help her. She left me abruptly, and
she hasn't spoken to me since. Anyway,
was sincere"
Yes, Louise" 1 assured her. you were
sincere, but you were not tactful- fear
that you did hurt your friends feelings
quite neediessly. Go on, dear. Let me hear
the rest"
Sat recess" said Louise. Marjorie Dean
asked me II liked the fashion of her new
frock. Without stopping to think, / told
her frankly that the fashion was pretty
enough for some people. 1t would suit
made Marjorie look too dumpy and short.
1t was the truth. but Marjorie flushed up
and said: You say such horrid things.
Louise. One never knows what you will
tell her when she asks you civil question.
Then she walked of. and know she does
not like her frock so well as she did before.
"As II this were not SUFFICIENT, Louise
proceeded II Numbered again. Miss TIL
son, our teacher, asked me whether would
have to go out Of my way to post a letter
for her when / went home to luncheon
The post Office Is three blocks from our
house in an opposite direction from the
school, so could not oblige my teacher
without taking some extra steps / hesi-
tated moment before answered: I shall
have to go a little out OF the way. but
shall not mind that, can hurry, and VIII
be happy TO post your letter Never mind.
said Miss Tilson, here comes Rose Elliot;
think she can Oblige me without any fncon-
ven1ence.'
'sYou should have seen Rose. She just
beamed. She seized upon that letter and
bore 1t on In triumph, and Miss Tllson