The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-09-02


glass and took it to the one at the
head of the table. Betty was evident
ly doing the honors of the evening
meal in her mothers absence.
Rosa did not stay; she did not even
go in; but she did smile. And the
smile grew and grew. Il guess / know
Betty" she again murmured as she
went along under the naples. "And
that's how she quits! Get along with
out her indeed"
During the summer Rosa went back
many times to see Betty. Sometimes
they had long, pleasant chats to-
gether; but oftener Rosa would only
glance through the window, catch
sight of Betty sewing or cleaning or
helping somewhere, then go down the
steps and back along the maple-lined
street, smiling. If it happened that
Betty saw her before she got away,
she laughingly apologized for her in
dustry and said, Il haven't begun to
quit-not quite yet"
But one morning toward the end
of the summer Rosa came bright and
early, and Betty saw her first through
the window. Betty didn't apologize
this time, and Rosa did not try to get
away unseen. She meant to go in, for
there was something-well, some
thing she had to tell, and it was too
good to keep any longer. Betty
cheeks were flushed, her eyes we're
bright, and her fingers fairly flew.
And it seemed that she, also, had
something good to tell.
"Oh, do come in, Rosa," she called
excitedly, and let me tell you what
lovely thing has happened. Father
vacation is due, and Aunt Flora has
written for him and mother to come
to the mountains and spend it with
her. Mother must have some new
waists for mornings, and SO am try
ing to get her ready. She needs the
rest quite as much as father, and oh
Rosa, isn't it just too lovely that both
the dears can go?"
Rosa laughed. Getting your mother
ready, are you, Betty? But really
thought this was your resting time!
You said you weren't going to do any
thing for anybody all the rest of the
vacation
Betty glanced up a moment with
serious eyes from the pretty blue
waist she was making.
"Why, Rosa Dartley! You know
am the only daughter! You cant
think I'd neglect mother and daddy
at time like this!"
mo, l didn't-not for minute,
promptly declared Rosa. Il said al
the time to myself I guess | know
Betty!" Rosa's eyes twinkled. but
but you said you had-quit."
Betty gave another upward glance
and Rosa could scarcely tell whether
the blue eyes sparkled with laughter
or tears.
ooh, Rosa, it takes so much time
to do nothing. IL tried to quit. Blu
l just couldn't"
The funny little smile began tt
whisk across Rosa's mouth.
"And I've spent ever so man!
mornings coming here just to prove
to you that you couldn't; knew it al
the time Suddenly she took Bett!
by both shoulders and shook he
affectionately. "Oh, Betsey, Betse,
Pringle!" she cried. you're not ;
'quitter,' but | can very we'll tell yol
what you are. You're fraud!-jus
pretending that you mean to be self
ish and lazy and do nothing for any
body, when what you want more thai
anything is to do all you can for CIV
erybody you can
Betty stole another glance from he
work, and the serious look was once
more shining in her eyes.
But, Rosa, / didn't mean to be ;
fraud-truly didn't. I made all thos'
pretty dresses early in the summer
and told you | was going to ST
around in them and do nothing, be
cause I honestly thought that wal
what l wanted. But it didn't maxi
me bit happy, Rosa. What made MT
happy was just TOTO do the things
that come next for those l love-
"Of course!" beamed Rosa trium
phantly. Yet everybody does have ;
resting time, just as you said; that
only right. So now yours in on tn
way"
ION the way?" cried Betty. "Wha
do you mean Rosa?"
"Just what | said. I've known sine
yesterday that your father and mothe
were going to the mountains; l me
your mother shopping and she toll
me. So l asked her if she wouldn'
close the house and let you and Tor
go to the seashore with us. There
plenty of room at the cottage, an
you are to go with us
Betty Pringle looked up with starr
eyes.
'Why-I believe everybody doe
have a resting time sooner or later,
she cried But I'll tell you one thing
Rosa, it's right that it should com
after we've done the things needin
m bo doDo opd not before -