The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1908-03-31
UNCLE ROBERT AND
THE PREDICAMENT.
By ALICE LOUISE LEE.

Amer"
In predicament, answered Hill
da. Uncle Robert sank with groan
into one chair, lifted his rheumatic
leg to another. and laid his cane
across the sewing-table close beside
him.
Predicament, eh?" he rumbled.
Well, now, let me tell you that no
one free from rheumatism knows
what a predicament isl"
Perhaps not" returned Hilda,
with decision, "but if you had to wear
Aunt Margaret's Christmas presents,
you'd think differently" Mrs. Green
lear was warm friend and a near
nelghbor of the Tuppers. To Hilda
and Anne she was Aunt Margaret.
Mother" continued Hilda, turning
TO Mrs. upper, Il do think you ought
to interfere. The very idea of Anne's
going up there with an evening dress
that's old enough for you to wear, to
say nothing of being shoddy-and
among strangers, too! It's prepos-
terous!''
Uncle Robert made a wry face and
moved his rheumatic leg, looking
ABOUT for a cushion to place under
the knee; but Hilda did not notice.
Neither did Mrs. Upper, whose face
wore an expression in which perplex-
lty and satisfaction were mingled.
No, Hilda," she returned, s'Anne
must act for herself in this matter"
Uncle Robert twisted his face into
knot, emitted sigh, to which no
attention was paid, and asked, testify.
What's all this fuss about, any
way"
Anne has an invitation to house
party" began Mrs. Upper.
And Aunt Margaret's last Christ
mas present is going to spoil it all, p
Hilda interrupted, just as Anne her
self appeared on the scene, bearing
over her arm dress, voluminous in
quantity, cheap in quality, and in
color a deep lavender
Uncle Robert frowned forbiddingly
If you had rheumatism, such triffes
as dress wouldn't trouble you. What's
that?"
It's the predicament!" announced
dIlua, Succlntly.
Anne laid the dress gently over a
kchair-back TT was lovely of Aunt
Margaret to give it" she said, simply.
HUH" calculated Hilda. TITS
the worst present she could have
given you, and | should be awfuIly
ashamed to have you wear it at that
house partyl"
IT didn't, Aunt Margaret would
be-"
Now, Anne" interrupted Hilda,
impatiently, you've said the same
thing for two days. Of course she
would be hurt. but she'd be brought.
nevertheless, to her senses. If +
hadn't hurt her two years ago. I'd be
going round now in fire-red cheap
silk trimmed with black braidi"
Anne looked down silently at the
obnoxious lavender. Only she knew
how hurt Aunt Margaret had been.
Her lips frightened. Mrs. Tupper
rocked speechlessly and looked at her
younger daughter with smile, while
Uncle Robert groaned, readjusted his
rheumatic leg, and began drumming
on the arms of his chair, a process
which set Hilda's nerves on edge.
Anne glanced up quickly, then
brought a cushion, and placed it I'm
Der the rheumatic knee, asking:
Is you rheumatism worse to-day,
uncle?"
The knots in Uncle Roberts face
instantly united themselves. His
eyes lighted up, and he Strengthened
himself quickly, despite his lame
ness
Worse!" he vociferated Worse!
Well, guess it is! Thought I'd
never get through last night | went
TO bed at ten, and lay awake until
tewo. Then l dozed off for an hour
not deep sleep, you understand,
only fitful nap-and after that |
never shut my eyes until six" Uncle
Robert looked actually cheerful.
AT six must have dropped off
again, because
Anne" interrupted Hilda, ''if I'm
going to alter this dress, / want 20
be about it.
Ammo pushed the cushion a tri1e
farther under Uncle Roberts knee.
II think, Hilda, I'll not have it
touched Any alteration would
hurt"
Anne Tupper!" cried Hilda, sit
ting up with jerk, do you mean
that you are going up there with this
awful yoke just as it is?'
Anne nodded. II can't bear TO
wear it, Hilda, but don't want to
hurt"
Uncle Robert leaned forward and
fixed Anne with a pair of shrewd but
not unkind eyes, IF you don't want
to hurt Mrs. Greenleaf. why don't
you take that rigging with you, but
wear something else?"
Anne hesitated and shook her head.
81 couldn't do that way" she began,
and would have gone further had not
Hilda spoken more rapidly
Aunt Margaret will ask her just
k.when and where she wore it. Now
e kould manage all right to evade her
have done it score of times but
Anne won't"
Anne can't corrected the mother
gently.
Anne's evasions were weak and
transparent. Anybody" Anne often
sighed, ''can see right through them.
II only I were as quick and apt as
Hilda."