The Washington herald., 1916-09-11
ssTHIS cloth isn't on straight"
Helen was inspecting the

HTHIS cloth isn't on straight"
Helen was inspecting the
company-set table. Dora,
you haven't straight eye-you
never get the cloths on even"
Dora, who had come in with the
ice-garnished, tulip-cut radishes, set
the dish on the sideboard and start
ed sullenly to unset the table.
"Oh, no, you won't have time for
that! Get on that side-now we'll
pull it carefully"
Very cautiously, moving the un-
der pad, too, they drew the cloth
so the ironed creases lay straight
across the round table.
where's the fork for the olives?
Don't forget to take off the cocktail
glasses before you pour the wine.
Now, Dora, see if you can't serve
this dinner without me having to
speak to you"
DO ! serve the asparagus on sep
arate plates, ma'am?"
"Yes, and don't get the melted
butter on the stems-just over the
tips. Have you fixed the salad"
"Yes, ma'am, Rosa fixed that.
She's helping me lot"
Helen received this remark with
slight frown. OF late, whenever
Rosa's mistress dined out, she came
over to "help"-and get her dinner.
This was particularly annoying
when they had company, for Dora
could serve much better alone. Her
sisters presence was only distract
ing.
What time are they coming?"
called Warren from his bedroom.
"Why, they know we have dinner
at seven-I hope they won't come
before. But you be ready, dear
I'm not quite dressed"
Having Carrie to dinner was
dreaded ordeal, for she always in
spected every detail of the food and
service with mercilcss scrutiny Her
own housekeeping efficiency was al
most a family tradition, and Helen
had come to loathe the phrase, "Oh,
Carries such a wonderful house
keeper"
With lingering survey of the
table, the flowers, and the after
dinner coffee tray, Helen rushed in
to dress. Fortunately, they were
few moments late, and she was
ready in time to receive them.
Lawrence, in white fannels, look
ed cool and comfortable, while Car
rie, in a new gray taffeta, was as
sertively we'll gowned.
We'll, how's the garden coming
on?" demanded Warren, as they
went in to dinner. Had any toma-
toes or corn yet?'
mo, but we've had beets and tur-
nips," retorted Carrie, always ready
to bristle at her brothers sighting
remarks about their suburban gar
den.
"Why don't you make a tennis
court of that back yard and buy
your vegetables? Be a lot cheaper.
You buy most of 'em anyway. All
you can raise is few measly beets
and turnips." =.
Lawrence, laughingly.
Back yard?" fared Carrie. "Why,
it's almost an acre We've had all
the radishes and lettuce we could
eat-and next year we're going to
put in asparagus and celery"
"Huh, our Italian around the cor
ner beats that all hollow. l bet our
vegetables don't cost onc-fourth Of
what you spend on that garden.
Hello" with grimace, whats the
matter with this SOUP"
"Oh, I'm afraid its too salty"
murmured Helen unhappily. 81
don't know how it happened-she
never uses much salt"
TASTES all right to me-" remark
ed Lawrence, who was kindly reas-
surfing. 81 like plenty of salt"
TOO warm for soup anyway"
Carrie pushed back her plate with
her aloofly critical air 1--WE haven't
had anything but chilled broth all
summer"
Helen flushed deeper at this added
criticism her sister-in-law so adroit-
ly conveyed. 1t was not until the
appearance of the roast, an extra
fine cut, that she leaned back re-
lieved.
That's been sharpened, dear" to
forestall Warrcn's call for the kitch-
en- knife, as he obviously felt the
edge of the silver carver.
Knowing that both Carrie and
Lawrence liked their beef rare, Hell
en- had instructed Dora to have this
we'll underdone. But as Warren
shaved down the outer slice, instead
Of juicy redness, even the center
was a gray brown. With a scowl
he sliced on, but the inner cuts were
no rarer.
"She's cooked this to death" !"
grimly, for Warren never withheld
his critical comments before any of
his family.
"Her sisters out there" faltered
Helen, distressed and mortified.
"They get to talking-I might have
known she wouldn't do anything
right"
"You let her have company when
she's serving dinner" observed Car
rie with raised eyebrows. II never
allow any one in the kitchen"
That's not too done for me-" in
sisted the kindlv-disposed Lawrence
as, hoping to find it rarer, Warren
cut still farther into the roast.
There was a trying interval before
Dora brought in the vegetables.
Then sensing Helen's disapproval,
she served with nervous, awkward
haste.
Carrie, I'm thinking of getting a
vacuum cleaner. What make is
yours?" asked Helen, hoping to di-