Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-03
hat was more than could truly be said of

that was more than could truly be said OF
Dick.
In these happy early spring days he
would often come lounging with Dick into
what Mr.. Crunden might say. Mrs. Crun-
den was proud to welcome him.
Pray be seated. Mr. Vincent
Thank you. Mrs. Crunden. Here
am, you see. turned up again like bad
penny. Sure you don't mind?'
Indeed. no. Pray Join US at tea
He praised everything quite sincerely
There could be no doubt that life at the
top of Hill Rise II splendid was mighty
dull. The hours for this young man were
long and empty. and he found difficulty
in filing them.
Il love this ROOM he said. smiling
graciously. II do call 1t such a ripping
room"
"Oh. surely not" said Mrs. Crunden
daprecating. but intensely gratifled. Very
different from the rooms you are accuS-
toned to-"
But that perhaps was just why he liked
1t. Anything for a change.
. Once Mr.. Crunden happened to be in at
tea and Mr.. Jack was told about the
origin OF the room and so forth.
Courtroom. vast? What ripping idea
Yes. sir. and what Is mora. our
kitchen was once used for the lookup.
Judge that. sir. by many signs"
Mr.. Crunden always addressed him as
SA. hiQ ~dS otih anu u uleftifci
although most respectful. He would
scarce sit down to take his tea with 50
august a visitor. but stood. cup In hand
before the hearth. He seemed determined
to remember the visitors high rank and
station. even If his family willfully forgot
them.
1t must be confessed that Mr. Crunden
cast a gloom over these pleasant daw-
ding tea-parties. 1t was a relief when
father marched Off to wind up the work
ing day at the yard. Although dusk was
falling. the room seemed of sudden
brighter when father left 1t.
Dick. who had been sitting num-
chance, found his glib tongue again: Mrs.
Crunden began to prattle gaily. and the
visitor soon set them all laughing.
Happy, silly hours. so dear to Lizzie.
In the candielight they talked such
utter nonsense. with no one to check them
unless it was Mrs. Price. But Mrs. Price
was absolutely captivated by the Wis
TORS affability, and gladly Joined in all
the fun. The visitor called her Pricay-
Pricey-first behind her back, and then
before her face.
In the candlelight and the fi:eglow they
used to play game of cards-that silly
old muggins. but now a rejuvenata ed.
giorified muggtn5 because he presided
over the foonsh sport. He would have
them play the game with unheard-of
preposterous, yet enchanting. strictness-
as he said 1t was played at the Univer-
sity OF Cambridge.
'Muggins." he would cry, did one make
the most trifiing blunder. and force one
to accept card in penalty.
'Muggins again, Pricey-Pricey."
''Lor'. no. l done no wrong"
''Muggins you for not mugginsing me- .
Or. worse still: "Muggins you for not
mugginsing ME for not mugginsing you -
''Oh, tbs a shame Mrs. Price would
eXpoStulate. You all shuttle off your
cards on me-
The object. of course. was to be rid of
ones cards. get out of the game. and es-
cape being Mrs. Muggins. Mrs Price
was always Mrs. Muggins-left In alone
at the end of the game. 1t was fore
gone conclusion: she had been fashioned
by nature for this fate and could not
evade II.
Sometimes they had How. when and
where?' after the cards. and again Mrs.
Price suffered failure. Her candor seemed
SO great that she could not frame an equiv
ocal answer. II the word was box and
you asked PriceyPricey how she liked 1t
she would reply, With a strong lock and
large enough to hold all my clothes
And then. If you please. she would won
der how she had betrayed the secret
But Mrs. Prices triumph came when
they did the acting. She it was who sup
piled the play. and taught the players
their parts with all the appropriate ges-
ture and emphasis. 1t was, it seemed. a
pretty romantic drama that had never
been set on paper-it was legendary lore
handed down by nursemaids and gov
ernesses out of the dim past. Who could
have guessed that Mrs. Price would carry
such unique treasure in her kind old
head?
Madam acted Mr.. Jack, with a
tremendous air, Ito you l humbly bow
and bend"
And bow them said Mrs. Price. con-
Quoting the rehearsal. Now, Lizza.''
Lizzie was the heroine, and she loved
the acting-st was the apotheosis of make
believe.
bend
Now. Lizzie
Nay, sir, take you not to be my friend. "