Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-17
Copyright, 1907, BY
". B. MAXWELL.
All Rights Reserves.

Of that appalling Mr.. Lardner and of he,
'wn son.
"Oh, Jack Please don't. / wish yo,
wouldn't do it implored Lady Vincent.
! On her way to tea she had com,
| through the French windows of the dining
room, and found Jack at the sideboarc
preparing a peg He had just filled his
glass with the destroying mixture. Tit
spirit decanter and the siphon told tn,
sad story.
! only a very little one" said Jack
smiling
! ''Oh, Jack. It's a very big one-and be
/ tween meals. You can't want it"
! Well, | somehow thought | did
| And at tea time, too. You used to be
| so fond of tea
about tea. They make out people overdo
! it with tea. Get their nerves wrong
I with the tannin or something"
| He was not in the least ashamed OF
himself-exhibited no embarrassment On
| being discovered in evil practices. He
stood with the well-f1lled glass in his
| hand. and smiled at his mother affec-
tionately while she lectured him.
1t was the habit that terrified her. she
declared One does a thing one day
carelessly. but next day one is the slave
of custom. one cannot break the chain
one has heedlessly forged-and so forth
For my sake. Jack. break the habit
If you knew how unhappy 1t makes me To
see you do it
Would it make you happy to see me
not do 1t o.
! Indeed it would
Then be happy now. Watch me care
| fully. There is no deception"
He had not yet taken a sip. With an
| affectatfOn Of solennity he marched
across the room to where one of Lady
Vfncent's white azaleas stood in blue
china pot, and here lie poured the con-
tents of his glass about the stem of the
shrub
There, You see If this doesn't like
whisky and soda. You see If it dies OF
1t. You see-after its innocent pick-me-
up it'll be growing and blowing as it
never did before. Now perhaps
you'll give cup of tea as a reward
of virtue
"Oh, Jack. you have made me so
| happy"
That's all right said Jack, lightly,
but affectionately. as, arm in arm. he and
his mamma went to the morning room
to drink their tea together.
VIII you be back to dinner?" asked
Lady Vincent. when. after a long sit
ting over the tea cups. Jack was about
to go down town
mo. I'm afraid not tonight. I'm din
ing out"
"Wil you be late?''
We'll. I'm afraid I shant be very
early"
Lady Vincent would not ask where her
boy INTENDED TO OlIe. instinct tOI0 NeT
that he was bound for the White Hart
and the Masons. but she did not wish to
spoil her happy afternoon by being quite
sure about 1t.
1t was In the course of this evening that
Sir John looked up suddenly from his Pail
Mall Gazette, and uttered many ejacula-
lions of surprise.
Good gracious. Upon my word. Only
speaking of her today-creaking doors
and she was gone even then. Died sud
denly-at noon.'
''Oh. John. you don't say SO! Oh, poor
old DEAR
Not unnaturally. Lady Vincent thought
he was speaking of poor cousin Harriet.
But it was the other creaking door. Lady
Haddingham, owner of Hill Rise, was no
more
I'VE regret read Sir John. Ito learn
OF the death Of the Dowager Countess of
Haddingham ~ etc. etc, etc.
Il wonder said Sir John. musingly
when he had recited the short biograph-
ical notice. wonder if it will make any
difference to our neighbors. l sholiidn' t
think so. l suppose it all goes to Had
dingham-and he wouldn't do anything
shabby-like humping up the rents. Mr.
A. and Firmins will see that everybody
gets fair play . No. l don't see
that it can affect our friends. But 1t at
fects me to this extent. l really think
shall have to go to Burroughclere for the
tuneral-last mark of respect. I think
they'll look for me there-dont you?'