New Britain herald., 1916-02-08


 hour waiting for Katies reappear- ance. I had no hope that she would impress Dicky's mother faVOrably, and I infinitely dreaded the conflict l which I felt sure would come over the question of keeping Katie. Upon one thing I was resolved l would not submit tamely to the pro- position wh ch Dicky so calmly put forth. He had said th&t if his mother did not like Katie he was afraid We would have to lo> her go. And his mother had been a guest in our home less than an hour when he told nc this!
 When I finally heard Katie's foot steps rapidly coming through the dining room l braced myself to meet a storm of tears and expostula- tion. With the slight experience of my mother-in-law that I had had, I did not hope that she would look with any favor upon a maid who was avowedly fond of me. On the other hand, I knew Katie would greet any attempt to remove her from her job with an emotional outt urst.
 But when Katie entered the Kitchen, what was my surprice to see a broad smile on her face.
 Dot old womans she not so bad" che said patronizingly. If I had not been afraid of losing Katie I would have given good deal to have had stately Mrs. Graham overhear the comment.
 You must have pleased her with your help I said in as dignif1ed a manner as possible.
 "Oh, dot easy" Katie tossed the subject aside like thistle down. "Once, tree mont, I maid to actress She have Iots clothes, two, tree times 1nooch as Missis Graham. She awful crank. too" I could not repress a smile at Katies unconscious rovela- lion "But know how to manage dot kind" Katies air of sophistica- tion was enough to cure any fit of the blues. no matter how desperate.
 Katie-Miracle Worker.
 Flow do you manage them, Katie ?" It was beneath me, I knew thus to chatter with my maid, but I 1 certainly needed a diversion after i the strain of the last hour. I was l shame-facedly conscious. also. that I l might well take @ lesson from Katie l in the art of managing dot kind"
 "Oh I keep me so still, let dem | talk, talk, talk. Me, say nothings ] but Yes madam Or No madam Den I work me queeck with mine hands, watch out of corner of eye vot dey want next. Have it ready before dey ask it. Dots all.'
 Katie opened a drawer where she kept her kitchen aprons, selected one, slipped it on over the white one she wore. The she made a dash for the gas stove.
 Dot old vomans she feel so good TOW she say she hungry She eat now and den sleep"
 "Oh, Katie, you are miracle " 0orker," I patted her cheek
 "Vot dot?" She seized my hand and kissed it in the impulsive fashion which was characteristic of her
 Something very nice. Now tell 1 me how I can help you"
 "Feex dot tomato stuff She l opened the gas oven before lighting the broiler and saw the potatoes I l had wrapped in cloths according to l directions. "No, first. take cloths off | potatoes put back in oven in five l minutes Put dem on top shelf. I | put biscuits oder shelf"
 She fairly ran to the ice box, bring |
 
 ned as the chief dish of the luncheon. She carefully trimmed it. and greas- ing the bars of a handled wire troiler, laid the steak within fast ened the broiler. and sitting down on the floor, held the steak beneath the gas flame.
 "Oh, please, Missis Graham, I forgot me my bath towel.' she said "You get it for me, please. It in cot drawer with aprons
 I handed it to her, and she wrap ped it around her hand and arm to keep the heat of the gas from scorch- ing her skin. She was turning the steak at regular intervals of about 20 seconds.
 Put potatoes and biscuit in cven,'' she directed. Den feex dot tomato, queeck. Everything all ready Gen You go fetch dem."
 I had lighted the gas flame under the double boiler containing the foundation for tie bisque, and the hot water pan ir which reposed the strained tomato when Katie first said luncheon was to be served at once I laid the potatoes in the oven, and looked for the biscuit
 "On. table, under towel" Katie di- reGted
 I found them and exclaimed at their puffy lightness, She had baked them while I was gone, and they were only to be heated.
 "Dey not so goot as fresh," shrug- eed Katie. "but I no can help dot"
 I slipped them into the oven and turned my attention to the bisque. The cornstarch and milk com bination m the double boiler, and the toma- toes were boiling hot. ! carefully roured the tomatoes into the double boiler, stirring and blending until the mixture looked smooth. I tasted it, and approved my own work