Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1915-03-26

meet q gentleman here in minute.
VERY we'll, sir the waiter nlleo
their glasses, placed the menu before
them and hurried off. gy
Dinner de Luxe, two dollars read
Helen, with a gasp Of dismay Two
dollars! Why, that's outrageous! II
was never more than a dollar ana q
half"
"That is pretty stiff," Warren ad'
mitted. well, now they've got the
crowd coming-theyve boosted the
price"
But we don't have to take the din
uer, do WEI" persisted Helen. cant
we order la carte?'
eyes, and it'll cost darn sight
more before we're through"
mot if we don't order so much, ana
It's so hot tonight, dear, we won't
want much"
There's Elliot now!" Warren
waved the card at a man in white
flannels standing expectantly In the
doorway. He saw the signal and
made his way toward them.
Hope / haven't kept you waiting
AZ he greeted Helen. Then in answer
to Warren's query. Eyes. dry Mar
tint"
Helen was unresponsive to Mr.. FL
liot's genial efforts to include her in
the conversation. She had come to
dread his semiannual trip to New
York, because Warren always took
him out and always paid the bill.
How could he accept such hospital
ity and make no effort to return it?
OF course, he had repeatedly invited
them to st. Louis, but he was safe in
that, for he knew they would never
come.
NOW, let's get this ordering over
first" Warren pushed the card to-
ward Elliot. What do you feel like
the dinner?"
Looks pretty heavy. I don't know
about you folks. but want some
thing light this weather"
Helen greeted this announcement
with enthusiasm.
Il was just telling Warren that
We'd all be much better of If we'd
eat less while it's so warm"
"All right, we'll order then" War
rem turned to the waiter. Let's see
your la carte card"
The waiter brought it with evident
reluctance. Apparently in this room
you were expected to take the dinner
and not try to economic by a la
carte order.
.. How about clams:' suggested
Il can always eat CLANS" agreed
Mr.. Elliot.
Cocktail or plain?"
Plain"
Helen made a troubled note that
clans here were IS cents-that made
a dollar and five for the first course.
Perhaps the dinner would have been
cheaper after all
"Soup?" asked Warren. THAT
st. German ought to be pretty good
they make it of fresh peas now"
oh, it's too warm for SOUP" in
terrupted Helen, hoping desperately
that Warren was not going to order q
course dinner at a la carte prices. It
would be twice as much as the table
d'hote.
Chicken broth jellied," suggested
Mr.. Elliot, that's cold.''
At this Helen dropped her eyes to
hide their resentment.
All risht-three chicken broths,"
ordered Warren. Then, reading from
the fish list: BASS, Fresh .Mackerel,
Filet of sole?"
oh. dear, l don't think it's safe to
eat fish," broke in Helen, determined.
ly.
1T ought to be all right at a place
like this" Mr.. Elliot assured her. II
had some sole here last summer that
was exceptionally fne."
: Countless times Helen had heard
Warren declare that there was no sole
IN America, that it was only founder,
but now he tactfully refrained from
this favorite comment and promptly
ordered the sole.
Now, Elliot, look over those entrees.
Anything there strikes you?"
Helen was wretchedly twisting the
napkin in her lap: CLANS, soup. fish,
and now an entree and probably a
roast! Oh. why hadn't they taken the
dinner? y Every moment increased her
fierce resentment Of this man. How
could he let Warren order so extrava.
gantly? -. 90. r..
However, he did suggest that they
skip the entree, but for the roast he
proposed guinea hen-one of the high.
est priced items on the menu.
How about that, waiter?" asked
Warren. "That guinea hen enough
for three?" ~ ~ -
Helen almost gasped The guinea
hen was $2.00-surely he would not
order an extra portion! But the
waiter said the hens were fair sized
and, with the rest Of the dinner,
should be enough for three. @'
We'll. bring with it some new DO.
ta,oes and green peas. Thatll do.
I'll give the rest OF the order later.
Now, let's see your wine card
BY this time Helen was almost in
tears. What would this dinner cost
TN tell you . good summer wine
sparkling Chablis," suggested MI. e.
not, chserfully. do you like spar.
king wine, Mrs. Curtis!" ,s5 ys
why. l know 90 little about wines =
answered Helen. fearing that snarkIins