Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-05-06
DOMESTIC R~ERIBUTI0H.
Fhs Servant Had Left and Mrs.
billings Was Hurried.

Billings Was Hurried.
Ever since her marriage young Mrs.
Billings had worshiped her Lares and
Penates with sufficient devotion, but
on this particular servantless Satur-
day she was literally kneeling IN the
service of these eXacting little domes-
tic gods. A ring at the front doorbeil
followed by the insistent Gathering
OF the knocker only made her set her
lips together and go harder to work.
They can ring and knock and
pound till they're tired. / Won't go!'
she said firmly to herself; hen she
Jumped to her feet with a sudden
little shrek of dismay, and fumbled
at her apron strings, for the tapping
now came from the side door, n
Hillsover was known to be informal.
TITS only me- said a blithe, Olsen.
| gagged voice, and Mrs. Lambert. large,
w~ell-meaning and given to staying
heavily in one place for hours, walked
Into the kitchen.
"My dear." she said with tragedy,
Il only just heard that Sarah had
rushed off in a tantrum, and l said to
| Mir. Lambert that l simply must run
down and tell you how sorry I was.
so sweet of you!" murmured Mrs,
Billings, conventionally.
And he said, oh, don't, Angie!
She'll be too busy and worried but
l only knew how I should feel If Mar.
tina and Jenny were to fly Off and
leave me all of a heap. l should go
crazy. Well, I'm sure I'd go to bed,
anyhow, and Mr.. Lambert could just
take his meals at the hotel. Why
don't you try that?"
ut does sound feasible" answered
Mrs. Billings, dryly. But you see,
the French department meets here to,
night. 1t can't be put off very we'll,
and there are a thousand little I'M
done, half-done things waiting for me.
Do you mind my going on with my
work? am rather rushed"
Not at all, my dear" replied Mrs.
Lambert, cordially, I'D love to watch
you. I'm really very domestic myself,
though I don't get much chance now
adays. My two maids are treasures"
And she settled herself to thorough
chair in the room, and hen marveled
at the usual morning procession Of
butchers and bakers and candlestick
makers.
How do you stand such constant
Interruption" she asked. &" should
go mad
"One gets used to many things here
answered Mrs. Billings, significantly
and If her subsequent conversation
was monosyllabic and her attention
somewhat detached, Mrs. Lambert die
not notice It. At last she rose to go
you look tired, DEAR" she said
In. so afraid Of your taxing YOU
strength too far" and she departed
as one who confers a blessing.
Ten minutes later Professor Bill
ings was met at the front door b!
a despairing wife. There's no Dime.
ready" she announced. And If you'v,
got a two-o'clock recitation you'll jus
have to eat sardines and bread ant
jam. Mrs. Lambert was here all thu
morning, and l really couldn't do
thing, though I pretended to-"
What! Large Mrs. Lambert in GU:
little, little kitchen!" exclaimed Mr.
Billings. Fortunately he had a say
ing sense of humor.
Yes, she was, and 1 only hop
she'll lose those domestic treasures
soon! Then III go owe there and sta!
and stay-and never budge,!" sh'
ended. with a little burst.
THAT won't be Lenten Goals Of fire,
remarked Mr.. Billings, philosophically
as he SAT down To his canned dinner
well, perhaps not" and Mrs. Bill
ings laughed in spite of her vexation
But III take her owe a cake, toe
That'l be the Goals. The staying i
just sheer domestic retribution!"-
Youths Companion.