New-York tribune., 1907-07-14
THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET.

,- Wednesday and Sunday afternoons Mrs.
Srarl, s regularly visited hy her friend, Mrs Tod
49,, -. fen with her on those occasions in the
parlor Betsy is so well accustomed Z" th'S" pc
rod!cal visits OF Mrs Tod that sh" knows 'A''tlN
what * required and what she Is Np",t'd To 90,
90 sh. has accurdlugly or a Wednesday afternoon
spread the snow white tableCloth ON III" little
mahogany table in the parlor, and laid thereon "a
plate containing deiicately sliced aIin"hd '"A''
which s Mrs Tods favorlte cake. a plate of very
tln sliced bread and butter which is also i"r MIS-
Tod. and hand painted dish piled up with tTeSl
red shrimps. which for Mrs. Shark To obtain
the fresh ehrlmpA Betsy obliged 10 max"
epc,!aI tourney 10 the fish market. and In order
To obey her mstrcss's command, which was don't
buy EN- unless they're fresh" Betsy, 20 be Ger
tain about them first sampled them oy eatinE one.
and was further assured by tho nshmong"T tnat
Tho blessed little wagtails We're alive this very
blessed morning Everything Is IN rcudi1,ss fo-
the arrival OF Mrs. Lillian Tod who IS expected
every moment Betsy has put the usGa! amount
OF Oolong In the silver teapot. the kettle IS
boiling on the kitchen stove and Betsy is ready 10
make the tea she has opened the front
door for Mrs Tod and shown Icr into the parlor
Mrs. Shark Is at present upstairs I'm her bedroom,
putting a few necessary touches TO her appear
ancc a. she always COntTyes to be until Mrs Tod
has entered the parlor. taken on her bonnet ana
coughed several times whereupou Mrs. Shark
comes gracefully downstairs. wearing her best silk
dress In honor of Mrs. Tod's visit. and looking
charming. Betsy. having nothing in particular 10
do but to watch for the coming of Mrs. Tod. has
caught sight OF that little lady through the parlJr
window slowly making her way up the steps 10
the front door, and about the same moment that
Mrs Tod rings the door bell Betsy who is very
prompt opens the door 70 admit her. why.
how d you do Betsy?" begins Mrs. Tod. and how
is Mrs Snark?' Mrs Tod makes the inquiry
from Betsy each visit. I'm quite well and
Mrs Sharks very we'll, thank you. ma am" re
plies Betsy, who sometimes. when the weather is
unusually hno and Mrs. Shark Is feeling likewise,
Will answer Mrs. Tods inquiry with shes cap
ital, thank you, ma'am." I'm very glad 10 hear
IT, Betsy says Mrs. Tod. speaking the top Of
her voice, though she would be very glad for
Mrs. Shark upstairs hear we'll. Then Mrs
Tod walks into the parlor and after taking off
her bonnet and handing 1t 20 Betsy. and not for
getting to cough remind Mrs. Shark OF
clasping her hands together exclalms in tones OF
admration How lovely, what beautiful nowers"'
At this interesting moment Mrs Shark marches
majestically into the paTlor and surprises Mrs
Tod by asking Why Lily is that you?' as II
Mrs. Tod waB almost stranger and they had not
met each other for considerable time. ''WhV,
Tilly. my dear" answers Mrs. Tod very affect
ingly. she turns away from the flowers and
who Immediately after this affectionate meeting
invites Mrs. Tod TO have tea with her. Ii is while
they are seated at the tea table that the cord OF
sistery love which unites Mrs. Tod and Mrs
It's of her friend Mrs. Tod. this one when
they have finished their tea, Mrs. Shark looks
steadfastly across the tea table at Mrs Tod and
says: 1T Will soon be years. Lily "Oh de-
be calm, THY" entreatingly answers Mrs Tod
and Mrs. Shark. with something like a sob rising
in her throat, continues since my poor John was
lost at sea" Mrs. Shark. turning her head as If
She was struggling with her emotions and really
her feet-attraCted probably by the shrmps into
the parlor-who is looking up with his big green
eyes which tempts her TO take handful of sbrinDs
from the dish and throw them down to him Re
ing satisfied with reply from Mrs. Tod and by
the quantity she has eaten that her friend has
made good tea. Mrs. Shark calls out ''Betsy!'
Yes. ma am" answers Betsy coming into the par
lor Betsy says Mrs. Shark. please clear the