The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1910-06-01
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Miss Belinda's sister Catherine, and
Bess, Miss Belinda's niece, were help
ing Miss Belinda close her country
home for the winter.
You must have that lavender silk
waist made over, Belinda" said styl.
ish Catherine, as her sister laid out
her wearing apparel In preparation for
packing. TITS handsome material, but
it's quite out Of date"
Il don't believe I'll have 1t altered
for myself" demurred her sister. I'D
rather give 1t to old Brita."
who is old Brita?''
Why, mother" said Bess, don't
you know old Brita? She's Aunt Be
linda's pet. Last Monday afternoon,
while you were driving with Uncle
Ben. I actually found Aunt Belinda
playing the piano to old Brita, who
was folding and sprinkling the clothes.
And I'm quite certain that the change
of the dinner hour on Mondays is for
Brita's sake"
Now. don't laugh, Catherine, at
Bessie's teasing" said Miss Belinda,
laughing herself. my laundress,
Brita, is a dear little old woman who
insists on earning her own living
around here. She cannot stay for
our usual evening dinner, because she
has to go home early to milk her COW,
SO have dinner at noon on Mondays,
and tell Nora to give her the best
OF everything. She can work SO much
better II she is well nourished.'
Yes, Of course" agreed Catherine,
smilingly. for she knew her sisters
ways.
Come. mother, this Is Monday, and
Rita is here" said Bess. Lets you
and have the fun OF giving her the
silk blouse"
They went into the laundry, where
q bent, apple-cheeked old woman
looked up from a blueing tub with
eyes as azure as the water into which
she was dipping the snowy clothes.
Here. Brita, is something for you,'
said Bess.
Brita smiled broadly and. drying hel
hand, offered 1t to Bess. Tell Miss
Belinda tank" she said. Then aftel
the little handshake she held the
blouse at arms length and murmured
rapturously, "Style!"
As they went back into the house
Bess said, laughing: and you, foolish
mother. thought the waist out Of date
Did you notice that she said .Tanl
Miss Belinda?' She thinks Aunt Be
linda is the only generous person IL
the world"
Two days later Nora, the cook, hav
ing departed, the three members o
4 the household went into the kitchen
4 to prepare their last meal Of the sea
SON In the country home.
4 Don't you think coffee would tast,
pretty good this rainy day?" aske,
Bess.
"Oh, I'm sorry. dear, but we can
have coffee" said Miss Belinda. e
A gave the few pounds that were left t,
4 Sammy Nelson this morning when b,
was helping me dig up my dahii.
roots. His mother is not well and
thought some good coffee might hell
her"
'well. can make chocolate" sal,
Bess.
No, we can't have chocolate
Miss Belinda looked q little embar
rassed. Il let Sammy have the las
cake Of chocolate. The poor littl,
chap doesn't have much candy.
Il suppose there's no tea, either !?
remarked Bess, in mock despair. .Yo,
doubtless gave that away, too?"
Yes, but saved enough out 70
lunch" answered Miss Belinda bright
4 y.
Il can make some hot biscuits I,
eat with the tea" said Catherine, roll
ing up her sleeves
"Oh. I'm sorry diGa't realize tina
you'd be enterprising enough to wan
to make biscuits" apologized Miss Be
I: linda. laughing. Il told Norah to tax
the flour and the baking powder {,
her grandmother with the tea an,
some preserves. But we have som
crackers and fruit.
81
Delicious luncheon-tea, cracker
and grapes!" laughed Bess. "And 70,
needn't bother to tell US, Aunt Belir
da, dear, how unwise' 1t Is to leay
provisions In the house and how 20
gave them away merely out Of selfish
ness. We know all about that"
you are q very saucy young pc,
son." retorted Miss Belinda. lookin
fondly at Bess. why. there come
old Brita through this storm. Bles
her old heart. she wouldn't let me z
away without saying 'Good.by..* Mis-
Belinda opened the kitchen door 4
she spoke. Come right in, Brits
You're just in time for some hot tea.
Tanks; bring present this time.
said .Brita. proudly opening the vel
wrapped box she was carrying and dii
playing large white cake. II hay
max for Miss Belinda angel work"
Angel work! Look. Catherine an
Bess." Miss Belinda turned from til
| old. happily shining eyes to her .siste
and niece.
Angel work. indeed" murmure