Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1910-08-09
From Lucille S
Diary

| the unlimited service
las you nearly always use my nick
els laughed mother, Il don't see why
you should care which kind of tele-
phone we have Seriously. dear, /
think that If even little money can
be saved by using the nickel phone
We ought TO do II cheerfully."
| / knew 1t was useless TO argue the
matter with mother any further at
that time, but | did not Civ up the
idea of securing the unlimited service.
| rarely abandon any plan on which
my mind is set, for think persistence
is one OF the important elements of
| strength of character.
That evening just after dinner
Betty called me up and asked me 10
come over and play cards.
| Il hope you haven't any engage
ment. she said. for Bob has brought
friend home 10 dinner tonight and
| We would like to have little bridge"
When | got TO Betty's / was sorry
had taken the trouble to change my
| dress. Her Invitation was very mis-.
| leading. / had naturally supposed
that when Betty said Bob had brought
friend home she meant man friend,
and was greatly surprised TO be in
| troduced to a plainly gowned and
| quite uninteresting looking woman.
Miss Clyde went to school with Bob
years ago and now she teaches in a
western college" whispered Betty
while | was removing my wraps. She
Is very bright and charming"
Really" | murmured.
AS we joined Bob and his old friend
in the drawing room | noticed the
telephone in the hall.
"Oh, | see you have the unlimited
service now!" | exclaimed. I'm try
ing TO persuade mother to have it put
in at our house"
What's the use?" asked Uncle Bob,
good-naturedly Whenever you feel
an excess of telephone enthusiasm
coming on. drop in here and help
yourself to our phone"
That's awfully sweet of you. Uncle
Bob" | replied Il believe I'll avail
myself of your generosity now while
Betty is getting out her cards and the
bridge table"
l slipped into the hall and rung up
Mr.. owen, who has been i'll for a few
days. He appeared to enjoy a chat and
we visited for quite a while Then
remembered that | had promised to
pass the evening at Louise Erwins
house, so l phoned her my apologies
for not going There were several
others to whom | wished to speak and
| was in the midst of a conversation
with Arthur knight when Betty called
me-
Just a moment, DEAR" | answered,
considerably. ignoring her petulant
tone.
Now, you are surely through" Bet
'ty said. coming into the hall a few
minutes later. "Bob's Tuning for our
bridge"
Poor Uncle Bob!" laughed. He'll
have to be patient little longer, for
Pm waiting for long-distance call"
Betty left me without another word,
and in minute more | was listening
to the voice of Wisner Lee, whom |
had been lucky enough to catch at the
hotel in Cleveland where he is just
now. | told him about the new tennis
club that some OF our crowd are or
ganizing and | asked his advice about
the kind of racket should buy. Wis
ner is such a devoted tennis player
that he forgets all about time when
he is discussing his favorite game. AS
he was so thoughtful about the racket.
begging the privilege of choosing the
one for me, | had not the heart TO
break off the conversation
1t was rudely interrupted by Uncle
Bob, who asked me with uncalled-for
sharpness IL | was going to talk 10
that chap all night"
"Of course not" said. What time
| is it?"
Its exactly 10:45 o'clock"
Mercy, | must go home at once!"
exclaimed.
why, we havn't had any bridge"
protested Betty, land ! was going to
make a Welsh rarebit. Lucille"
We'll, I'll stay for a wee bite OF the
rarebit," | conceded. Then | must
fly. You know how mother dislikes
having me remain out late"
Uncle Bob was extremely taciturn
all the way home. In fact. so short
and gruff were his remarks that | was
sorry | had bothered to go to his
house. | have not seen him since that
evening, but yesterday he told mother
that a large bill had come in for long
distance telephoning which he thought
/ would want to pay out of my allow
ance. When mother spoke to me
about it | said that l was simply as
tonished at Uncle Bob.
why, he invited me TO use his
phone any time" told her
But he didn't expect you TO talk to
Cleveland for over an hour" said
mother. Il do wish. Lucille, that you
had not abused his generosity. 1t
makes me very uncomfortable when
! you displease your Uncle Bob
We'll, mother" I remarked, IF you
would allow me to have the unlimited
service put in a little unpleasantness
like this would never happen
Mother Just sighed in that martyr
like way of hers.
The men have come today to change
our phone. 1t Will be great comfort
TO have the unlimited service.
/ A woman is extolled for her virtues
and adored for her weaknesses