Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-21
Continued from page s


golf course in America; you are interested
in numerous charities; you will grant an in
terview to a reporter in the middle of the
night if necessary for fear the poor fellow
will lose his job; you are arrested for speed
ing now and then; you dislike newspaper
notoriety," confess had to get my wind
before could 60 on, @Your husband is dead;
your son is an 'O9, and came out of Harvard
with all sorts of honors." She made wry
face-I knew they were athletic honors.
@He is nicknamed Hap, old Hap Hazard;
your daughter made her bow to society this
winter, and you are doing over your town
house in the event of her approaching mar
rage; you,
into the papers like that" She chuckled and
held up her hand for me to cease. @Now,
yourself. The name is good-Codman."
1--WE really aren't anybody in particular,
10 and l." told her; afor you see we've
come down to making. our living. My
mother was Steptoe-"
Josephine Steptoe!" she interrupted,
making the connection between JOS name
and Steptoe-she always noticed trifles.
sand your father was Joshua Codman9
Good gracious! Why, went to school with
your mother; but haven't thought of
those names for years"
we We De6Ll IdCIlGI OUT OI sight IOI years, F.
l assured her; although, to be exact, we
guished for anything except being just good,
sturdy stock Our financial downfall was
not even spectacular. We belong to the
Country Club; but we've never been in the
Sunday newspapers.
3Thank Heaven you have sense of
humor!" She almost winked at me through
the lorgnette, or at least one eye was curl
ously twinkle "You really are exceeding
my fondest hopes. Now to business! will
tell you what / want"
WHICH was what she came for, and we
had seemed to waste time in prelimi-
naries; although perhaps they were neces-
sary. In the light of all that happened after
ward I'm glad she was at least sure of our
ancestors. She folded the lorgnette as if the
inspection were all over and that part salts
factory.
@As my proposition is somewhat unusual"
she went on, am at a loss just where to be-
gin or how to put it. I've never had social
secretary, although the newspapers have
said have, because until now I've never
needed one" She held up hand suddenly.
1T isn't just what want. l remember dis
tinctly you said companion; and yet it is in
a way, except entirely different"
1 wanted to put out my hand and say,
3Shake!"-I get mixed up that way myself,
but sat still, COMPRISING my lips firmly,
or I'd have been gazing at her with my
mouth open.
@My daughters coming out necessarily
thrust meinto season, all the usual things
that make girl know she's out, or in, which
ever way you want to look at it; each par
ticular function outshining another, and
outshining anything else anybody can con-
ceive. Now I've got to 60 through a sum-
mer just as brilliant; but I'm going to have
help, good, intelligent help, some one who
can speak French, bridge, and all those
other things; some one to be my Secretary
of Frivolous Affairs" She chuckled and
gave my hand playful tap with the lor
gnette. Society is like copper coffeepot
it won't shine unless somebody stands
around with the polish always ready to give
it rub"
3And you want me to stand around with
the polish?" 1 asked eagerly.
@Yes," she laughed. Society too gets
in rut. l want sort of social stick to stir
it up"
"And you want me for the stick?"
Eyes, sort of social guardian angel" she
unused.
"A sort of social doctor to administer the
smelling Salts suggested 10 from the win
dow.
n