River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-07-04

~ our-yacation!" she said again,
under her breath, looking up at the
others serious, pale face, absorbed in
the interesting possibilities of the pink
waist.
Il can do it," said Georgiana, "this
way-and this" with deft fingers illus.
trating her words "And l should love
tot is so pretty. The only trouble
is, it will take a good while, and
she looked at the little clock on the
mantel-"th there's dinner"
ooh, never mind dinneri" cried the
Princess, forgetting. IF you can do
it, Til have dinner sent up to you
here"
Georginna gave a queer little laugh.
'.Will you?" she said. Thank you,
Miss Dumaine But how are you to
get your own dinner-you and the
rest, without me to wait on you?"
"Georgiana! There's only one thing
to do. If you will stay here and finish
the waist for me, I will go down and
wait on the table for you!"
"Oh-no~ said Georgiana.
"Oh-yes!'' said the Princess, SUI
perbly. why not? 1t will not hurt
mel"
Georgiana lifted her demure eye
brows with another little laugh. II
wasn't thinking of that" she said.
was wondering-did you ever wait on
table before, Miss Dumaine?"
rs it harder than dancing the ger
MANI" asked the Princess, with scorn.
'Or riding the bicycle, or Greek verbs,
or Delsarte exercises, Or-golf?"
Il think it is, if you are not used
to it," said Georgiana, unmoved. "You
have to remember everybody's order,
you know, and not get them mixed
up, and not keep anybody waiting. and
then they'll want toast"
tits dinner" said the Princess.
''They can't want toast
"They WILL" said Georgiana, pa
tiently. Somebody always wants
toast. If it was midnight supper,
they'd want it just the same. And
then you have to wait your turn at the
fire, because all the other girls wan.
to make toast, too, and the cook is
very unpleasant about it, and Katy
Billings is pretty sure to spill some
thing-you have to look out for her;
and then the people-you must bring
Mrs. Tomkins' fish with her meat, and
you must be sure and have second
day bread for Mrs. Deane-"
And to fill Miss Dumaine'sN glass
che 81, bn Drir
cess, very proud and rosy. THANK
you, Georgiana! The more you say
the more you make me want to do it
I'm going to wait on that table to-
day."
1t was a remarkable experience for
everyone. She stood beside the table
when we came down, in her plainest
gown, a little spotted lawn, and one
of Georgiana's big aprons. Her eyes
were cast down modestly, and there
was not sign. of smile on her quiet
| face.
Mrs. Deane was so overwhelmed
with wondering awe when the stately
young creature at her elbow read over
4
imitation of Georgiana's manner, that
she said: Anything, my dear-any
| thing!" in a fluttered voice, which EN-
barrassed the Princess not little
for moment
To do the Princess justice, she die
splendidly. The meal was an I'm
clouded triumph for her.
There were those of us who thought
| the girl in her plain gown, stepping
| lightly back and forth with her tray
and her absorbed face, intent on do
ing this bit of unusual work as vel
as it could be done, no whit less be
witching than when she was dressed
| for the evening, radiant in the pinl
gown and pearls and roses. Georgi
ana thought her perfectly lovely, anG
/ told her so frankly when she helped
to put on the waist, which by the way
was as great success as the din
ner.
And she washed the dishes after
ward in the pantry with the Other
girls.
That's all-at least so far as we
were concerned. 1t was a small thing
but by no means the least interesting
of the summer. The prettiest part o.
it all was the conduct of the two girls
toward each other afterward. There
was, obviously, a sense of understand
ing and sympathy between them, {
golden link of gratitude and respect
on both sides. And those of us who
knew the Princess and the Princess
mamma knew also that for her anC
for Georgiana this was not "all," but
that the future of both girls would be
happier and richer for this glimpse
into each others lives, this beginning
of mutual understanding and service
Meanwhile, the atmosphere of OIL
table seemed pleasanter, for some rea
son. Perhaps it was because the
weather was cooler Perhaps it was
something else. At any rate, we al
/ observed it-even Mrs. Deane.
The