Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-05
CHAPTER II.
In the Sewing Room.


Three women occupied the sewing room
with the splendid outlook: a mother and
her two daughters. The mother sat in
low rocking chair, a picture of mourn
full helplessness, her hands lstlessly resting
on her lap, while tears had left their traces
on her time-worn face. The elder daughter
paced I'D and down the room as striking an
example of energy and Impotence as was
the mother of dependency. Her comeiy
brow was marred by an angry frown. Inc
younger daughter stood by the long win
dow, her forehead resting against the pane,
while her fingers drummed idly on the win
dow SILL Her gaze was fixed on the blue
bay where rested the huge British Warsh1p
CONSERVATION, surrounded by section OF
the United States squadron seated like
white swans in the water Sails OF snow
glistened here and there on the bosom OF
the bay, while motor boats and What-not
darted this way and that impudently among
the stately ships of the fleet.
In one corner of the room stood a sew
Ing machine, and on the long table were
piles of fiimsy stuff out Of which feminine
creations are constructed. There was no
carpet on the floor, and no ceiling over
head; merely the bare rafters and the
boards that bore the pine shingles of the
outer roof yet this attic was notable for
the glorious view to be seen from Its win
dow. 1t was an Ideal workshop,
The elder girl, as she walked to and
fro, spoke with nervous irritation In her
voice.
There Is absolutely no excuse, mamma.
and It's weakness in you to pretend that
there may be. The woman has been gone
for hours There's her lunch on the table
which has never been tasted and the serV-
ant brought 1t up at twelve"
She pointed to a tray on Whfch were
dishes whose cold contents bore out the
truth of her remark.
how he
Younger daughter, without removing her
eyes from H M. s. CONSERVATION i
shouldn't wonder II we went downstairs
again we'd find the house picKeteo 70 keep
away blacklegs."
''Oh. you can always be depended on to
talk frivolous nonsense" said her elder sis
ter scornfuly. "Its the silly sentimental
fashion in which both you and rather ne
treat workpeople that makes them so diff
ficult to deal with. If the working classes
were taught their place
working classes! How you talk Dor
othy Is az much a lady as We are. and
sometimes I think rather more of lady
than either of US. She is the daughter OF
a clergyman"
80 she says" shifted the elder girl
well, she ought to know" replied the
younger indifferently.
tits people like you who spoil depend
ents In her position, with your Dorothy
this and Dorothy that. Her name is Am
hurst"
father and godmother," murmured the
younger without turning her head.
II think" protested their mother meek
ly, II to suggest compromise, ana
throw oil on the troubled waters, that she
is entitled to be called Miss Amhurst, and
treated with kindness but with reserve"
.TushP' exclaimed the elder indignantly,
indicating her rejection OF the compromise
IT don't see,' murmured the younger,
why you should storm. Sabina. You
nagged and nagged at her until she'd fin
ished your ball dress. 1t is mamma and
that have a right to complain. Our dresses
are almost untouched while you can sail
grandly along the decks of the Consterna-
ton like fully rugged yacht. There, l
am mixing my smiles again. as papa al
ways says A yacht doesn't sail along the
deck of a battleshfp does it?'
cts a cruiser" weakly corrected the
mother, who knew something of naval az
fairs.
well, cruiser, then. Sabina is afraid
that papa won't go unless we all have grand
new dresses. but mother can put on her old
black silk, and l am going IL l have to
wear cotton gown"
ITO think Of that person accepting our
money, and absenting herself In this dis
graceful wayi"
Accepting our moneys That shows what
Ii is to have an imagination. Why, l don't
suppose Dorothy has had penny for three
months and you know the dress material
was bought on credit"
You must remember" chided the moth
er mildly, that your father is not rich"
"Oh, / am only pleading for q little
humanity The girl for some reason has
gone out She hasn't had a bite to eat
since breakfast time. and I know there's
not silver piece in her pocket to buy a
bun in milk shop
"She has no business to be absent with
out leave said Sabina.
hHow you talk As IL she were sailor
on battleship-I mean cruiser"
Where can the girl have gone?' walled
the mother, almost wringing her hands
partially overcome by the crisis. did she
say anything about going out to you.
Katherine? She sometimes makes conf
dant OF you. doesn't she?
"Confidantr exclaimed Sabina wrathful-
~.