Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-11-14

mother had formed that nattering opinion. A fortnight ago heard her an- nounce that Americans "got upon her nerves" and she hoped she would not soon be called upon to meefany more. As she had made this remark directly after bidding Mrs. Ess Kay goodby, I naturally supposed that lady to be the immediate cause for 1t. But now it seemed this was not the case.
 "You would be very ungrateful If you disliked her." motAer went on, ''as she took such tremendous fancy to you"
 Dear me, l didn't know thatr l exclaimed, opening my eyes wide. I thought 1t was Vic she''-
 "You are her favorite, as you are with Miss Woodburn also," said mother, who gets the effect of being 50 tremendously dignifed, partly, be- lieve, from never clipping her words as the rest of us do. q am asking them down again especially on your account, and I want you to be particu- larly nice to them."
 Its easy enough to be nice to Sally Woodburn, but .t" Y.
 I caught look from Vic and broke of my sentence, hurrying to change 1t into another AS they're sailing for the States so soon. I shan't have time to spread myself much
 Don't be slangy, Betty, 1t doesn't suit you," said mother. You pick up too many things from Stanforth"
 "Trust him not to drop anything worth having" interpolated Vic, which was pert. But mother never reproves her.
 Perhaps Mrs. Stuyvesant-Knox and Miss Woodburn won't con1e," I said for the sake of getting on safer ground.
 Not come? Of course they will come. It is short notice. but If they have other engagements they will break them," returned mother. And though It would be as impossible for her to be vulgar or snobbish as it would for tall white arum lily to be either of these things, still couldn't help feeling that her unconscious thought was, 'The invitation to a cou- pie of unknown touring Americans from the Duchess of Stanforth is equivalent to my receiving a royal command"
 She was probably right, anyhow. so far as Mrs. Ess Kay is concerned. As for Sally Woodburn, don't think she has a drop of snobbish blood in her veins. She's southern-not South American, as was stupid enough to think at first, but from some southern state or other. Kentucky, believe it Is. She's short and plump and olive and smOotc as ivory saith, with soft, lazy brown eyes, a voice like rich cream, a smile which says, Please like me" " and pretty, crinkly dark hair that is beginning to glitter with silver net work here and there, though she isn't exactly old, even for woman, perhaps about thirty.
 I knew that Miss Woodburn rather fancied me, and was quite pleased to take her up to her room when she and her elder cousin arrived about an hour before dinner stopped for few minutes and then left her with her maid, while I went to help Vic and get myself ready. We've only one maid between the three of us nowa- days, which means (unless there's some reason why Vic should be made partic- ularly smart) that mother gets more than a third of Thompson's services. That's as 1t should be, of course, and | we don't grudge 1t. But Vic's rather helpless, and I always have to hurry to see her through.
 This evening. though. found Thompson In Vic's room, next to mine, and just as I scientifically dis. located my arms to unlock my frock which does up behind, mother came in. Betty" she said, quite playfully for her, q have a very pleasant sur. prise for you You would never be able to guess, so I will tell you. have consented to let you go and visit Mrs Stuyvesant-Knoxa and Miss Wood. burn in America. Aren't you delight ed?"
 I felt as if the wall of the house were tumbling down and would pres ently be crumpled up underneath.
 My goodness gracious, motherw I managed to stammer. forgetting how live always stood in awe of her since I could toddle ''How-how perfectly extraordinary! Why am I going? And is it all decided, whether I like or not"
 "0f course you will like. To travel with pleasant companions and see a lgreat, new country under such charm Ing auspices is an immense privilege a very unusual privilege for a young girl" mother replied promptly. "As for the why you are going because you have been cordially invited: be- cause I think the experience will be for your advantage. present and fu- ture; because also it will be good for a growing girl like you to have the bracing effect of sea voyage"
 Mother, haven't thing the mat ter with me, and haven't grown the eighth of an inch this whole last year. You can see by my frocks," I protest ed. more on principle than because 1t would be of any use to protest or be- cause I was sure mother wanted to change her mind. Naturally the pro test had no effect, but mothers mood |