The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-04-22
Dining Out
Mrs. Townsends Difficulty
in Ordering the Lunch.

said, reaching for 1t.
I'm a minute" Jack answered; Il
just want to see what kinds OF soup
there are
Il don't want SOUP" said Janet.
Neither do l." her mother added.
But I'd like some,' Jack insisted.
''Now, here's some of the mulliga-
tawny. What's that like?'
IF you take soup, we'll have to sit
doing nothing while you eat yours
Janet objected And, besides, one
portion is more than you can eat, and
it will be wasted
1T won't save it to eat it any more
than to leave it after it is paid for,
was Jacks answer.
You don't have soup usually at
home,' his mother remarked
That's why l want it. What's the
use of going to a restaurant if you
just eat what you get at homer
You're not here for amusement
but to get some food" Janet observed
"All right" Jack agreed; then you
can just eat oatmeal with bread and
butter. That'll be cheap and filing.
Janet began to look cross.
Here" Mrs. Townsend said "let
me take the bill of fare. | will order
the luncheon" After moment she
looked up. Suppose, Janet, you and
l have some tea and fancy cakes, and
for Jack l will order-some. baked
chicken pie
Il don't like chicken pie. Id rather
have mock turtle soup and chicken
| salad and ice cream"
That's too much,' his mother re-
piled. "and it's too expensive
"Well, then" Jack grumbled, IF
can't have what l want, l won't take
anything!"
That's just like you!" Janet ex-
claimed. You just go and spoil
everything!"
"Well,' Jack muttered I'm not
| going to guzzle tea and crumble dried
up cake I'd rather take chewing
gum.'
Mrs. Townsend put down the bill of
fare in despair.
Il do wish you wouldn't be so trou-
blesome! I'm sure l can't suit you all
without ordering a lot of things we
too. All we need is light luncheon
SO that you will not get too hungry
before your dinner" She picked up
the bill once more. Let me see.
What do you say to a nice salad with
French dressing and some rolls?'
Don't like leaves" Jack muttered,
while Janet looked equally unhappy,
and asked: Cant we have some des-
sert?3
"Dessert?" echoed Mrs. Townsend
"Yes, we could. Suppose we say rice
pudding?"
This was the last straw. Jack went
down to the depths of despair and
Janet's lower lip began to tremble.
well, children their mother said,
shall l give the order7'
"Td rather go without anything
was Jacks reply, and he turned indif
ferently from the table.
so would IT, Janet agreed.
Have you ordered?' inquired a
waiter. approaching briskly.
"Not yet" said Mrs. Townsend. "I'll
let you know in just moment. Come.
children. what will you have?'
You won't let us have what We
want" Jack answered coldly.
I'm sure don't know what to do.
You suggest ridiculous things and
won't say yes to anything else"
Women don't know what men like
for lunch,' Jack observed grandly.
80, very WELL" Mrs. Townsend re-
piled. 1--WE can't wait much longer.
Your father wished us to be prompt
so as to be in time for the matinee
Now he will be- Here he comes
, I'm glad If you don't like me to Or
5 der, you can just ask your father"
MI Townsend came in brskly
. smiling and gay. He made his way
, to the table, and greeted them affec
tionateiy. Then he noted the frost in
, the air.
Whats the matter?" he inquired
Luncheon not served? Where's youl
waiter?''
eve couldn't decide what to have,
said Mrs. Townsend Janet wanted
some ice cream
: Il didn't say So Janet interrupted
and Jack chose mulligatawn,
= SOUP"
!, Mock turtle" Jack corrected. 6
:. only asked what mulligatawny-"
= That's neither here nor there" hi
father remarked. hastily consulting
his watch. And what did you want
my dear?'
!, only a cup of tea Mrs. Townsenc
answered, 'and some cake"
;. "Thatll never do" her HUSBAND
y said, frowning and shaking his head
h Then rapping sharply on the table, h
, brought the waiter Oh the run. Here
q waiter he said, bring two portion
= roast beef rare, with gravy, mashe
a potatoes, and have them served quic
AS YOU can. We're i'll hurry!"
! Eyes, sah,'' replied the waiter. an
o disappeared with napkin trailing i
! the breeze.
e THE longer you wait the less yo
3 can tell what you want. Roast bee
! is always in season, makes good re
# blood, everybody likes it, and after al
<. there's nothing better. We've got jus
: 20 minutes. Let's talk of sonlethin
else"
And so they did.
: Had dyspepsia or indigestion i
l. years. No appetite, and what dl
eat distressed me terribly. Burdoc
DJo.I r,;.4o,, o,,roJ mo ''-J III Wal