Los Angeles herald., 1907-05-26
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ing: "Good-morning. Miss Dannie. Hope
you have your dollies with you"
To Danny's relief no one save Tom and
the other boy heard this conversation.
The other children were all talking at
once, and paid no heed to the three boys
at the farthest end Of the long seat.
Danny could have struck Tom and the
other tormentor with a vengeance, but he
dared not do so In the wagon, However,
Just you fellows wait till we git into
the woods away from the rest and III
shcw you a few things"
"Ah, you're Dan again. laughed Tom
Moore. II wondered where your spirit
had gone. But what means all these fur
bellows In mannersT
Danny had no chance to answer Just
then, for Mrs. Davis was asking some
question OF him, and he had to give her
his attention.
After an hours ride the picnic party
arrived at the grove where the festival
was to be held. Danny assisted with the
preparation of tables and hanging of
swings. With the boys he was himself.
but in the presence of the girls and Mrs.
Davis he was strained and painfully
proper In manner.
After the dinner had all been spread
Mrs. Davis appointed the children to
their seats, pacing Danny between An
nie-SLell and her own little daughter
Lulu. AT first Danny felt at his ease,
but moment later his promise came to
his mind, and he became very self-con-
scious. He thought to be very polite,
and began by passing some pie to Annie,
who burst out laughing and said: "Why,.
that comes later, you goose Danny
swallowed his embarrassment as best he
could. He turned to Lulu, who was busy
with a sandwich. Bowling very low, he
asked: do you like sandwiches2 / think
them very common OF course, Lulu
laughed at him, causing him to blush
And. thinking he had said something i'm
proper, he hastened to make his excuses
"Oh, l mean some sandwiches are COM
mon. But my mother made the one you
are-a are-devouring. 1t is very fne."
I'm eating, not d-e-v-o-u-r-i-n-g," en-
phasized Lulu. But how funny you are
today, Dan. You act as though you'd
been laundered and starched and ironed.
You are as stiff and proper as new shoes.
You make me laugh"
Cant man become gentleman
without causing-causing = merriment"
asked Danny, his confusion growing.
"Oh, that's it2" And Lulu glanced at
Annie; then both little misses laughed
wickedly.
Then came the dessert Danny, anx-
tOuS " nlmSelI IN Ine favor OF
his two little friends, forgot for the mo-
ment his promise to his mother. He
grabbed up two oranges and began toss
ing them IN the air and catching them
on his shoulder Lulu lodged the falling
fruit looking Mortified at the behavior
of Danny. Annie cried out and sprang
away from the table, saying: "Such table
manners" Mrs. Davis attention was
called to Danny. She shook her head at
him, saying: Don't forget where you/
are, Danny. You must be a gentleman"
This was too much for Danny. Spring
ing to his feet he cried out vehemently:
Pm laughed at and poked fun at IL
play the gentleman. IL l act just nat
ural-like an everyday boy-I get scolded
and make girls run from me. l guess
I'll have to go In crowd all by myself.
Then nobody will be uncomfortable or
make me uncomfortable"
Mrs. Davis-mother that she was-came
to Danny's side and drew from him the
secret of his misery. After Dannys priv
nta confession about the promise to his