Mrs. Grundy. (Tracy City, Tenn.) 1903-1930, 1913-02-13
SOME THINGS TO EAT
BY NORA MAIL.

out-of-town customer who had just
concluded big order in his Office at
IL o'clock. Then he casually inform
ed his stenographer as he passed out
that he was stepping over to Bangs
cafe, across the street.
The customer was a large, beefy
man. After considering his facial out
posts for an instant Parkington or
dered some raw oysters to start with.
then a large steak, fried potatoes, a
salad and pumpkin pie.
In the middle OF the salad he was
called to the telephone.
80 sorry. Mr.. Parkington," said
his stenographer, who was at the 9TH
er end Of the wire. "but I've just
found that | overlooked a note had
made to remind you that you were
lunching at Mr.. Gibbons club at 1:15
today"
Parkington watched with positive
dislike the manner in which the out
of-town customer leisurely devoured
that lunch. Mournfulness settled upon
his soul for he is light eater and
he knew that he should have to go
through the motions at least with
Gibbons, because Gibbons is most
important man and when he asks one
TO take luncheon with him It Ia some
thing that as a rule one casually men,
lions to ones friends.
Shaking the beefy customer with
acute resentment Parkington tore
over to Gibbens' club.
Nice, brisk day" said Gibbons.
"Gives MAJ an appetite, Ell. Park
ington? Wen have some Of the clubs
famous soup. and these birds with
truffies are excellent. You like ro-
maine salad, with the roQuefort
cheese dressing, suppose? And some
of their frozen pudding and coffee and
cigars. Just nice, plain little lunch.
And we can talk about those bonds
you want to sell me-"
Parkington wanted to sell those
bonds very much. He would have
been willing to eat ground glass to
accomplish the sale. Ground glass
would have been preferable. because
1t would have taken up less room
than did his portion of the delectable
luncheon that he shared with his
host Grimly he opened his jaws and
inserted food, grimly he ground his
teeth together and swallowed the food
in the course OF time.
When he escaped from Gibbons
Darlington had reached the stage
where he could have written a long
and adjective-filled essay ON the fulfil
ity and absurdity of food He never
again wanted to see anything to eat
He was convinced that he had had
enough food to carry him through
whatever span OF years remained te
him.
As he rounded the corner he was
| greeted with shrek Of JOY by three
girls. One of them was from Park.
ington's point of view the only girl In
the world, and the other two were
just Parkington'a sister and another
girl who didn't .ount.
ooh, Billy" cried his sister, 'I'm
SO glad we met you! We've been
shopping all day and are tired to
death and had horrid luncheon and
won't you please take US to tea a,
Bowers new place? They say 1t Is
nice. That's a dear"
Delighted" said Parkington. He
was looking at the only girl when he
spoke. It seemed to him, in his
state Of mind. after he had his
charges seated at Bowers, that II
was amazing what an appetite even
the only girl could have. 1t was nat
ural for ones sister and her friend
who didn't count to order sandwiches
apparently by the dozen, but he was
panied and grieved to see that Muriel
was not far behind
"You are not eating Billy" Murie
said reproachfully. "Here-Ill pici
out the very incest sandwich Of each
kind for you-how many kinds are
there-five? And you must have an
other cup of tea! Taste these al
monds-"
And the preserved stun is fine!'
added Parkington's sister. serving him
with a generous spoonful
| You must eat to please me-" beg
ged Muriel. You work too hard and
I don't like to see you look SO pale!"
Darlington fed at the close of the
tea party and as he fed he hated the
world more than ever. Once he
crossed the street to avoid walking by
a restaurant with things to eat in its
window. His head ached and he
made bet with himself that he
could pass himself off as a stuffed
animal at any museum without this
slightest trouble, Feeling worse ev
cry instant, he gave US the idea O!
the Office and went home.
AS he stepped inside the hall his
mother leaned over the bannisters.
"Oh, Billy" che said I'm glat
you came early SO you won't have tc
hurry about dressing! Mrs. Binks
telephoned an hour ago-said she
couldn't find you at your office--to ash
il you would fill in at one of her bis
dinner parties tonight. Some mar
has been called out of town suddenly
OF course, it being Mrs. Binks, told
Fsr you would be delighted, You
know she gives such wonderful af
| fairs
"Now Pi1lv Do rkinotOn u,bo{ovo,