The Detroit times., 1916-08-10

comb. He's shiftless lie dawdles
about the place most afternoons,
smoking Doesn't he work?"
II didn't ask him. But he's nice, 80
with sudden spirit. Indeed, I'm
sure all the people in the building
are just fine. Take the family
across the hall"
Those noisy children drive me
crazy" broke I'm Mrs Holcomb,
Their mother must be no-account
not to tend 10 them
Then went on Mary unmiudful
Of the outburst, there's the young
couple at the end OF the hall"
THAT young woman il q harum-
scarum declared Mrs lIolcomD.
And she feeds her husband canned
stun. It's awful the cans see go
In there. When we were first mar
ried your father didn't s>1er.'
you don't know" defended Mary
This young woman may have come
right from Office work ANYWAY this
isn't Medbury. where you cant put
your nose outside the door without
exchanging recipes with some one.
think this young woman looks lone
ly."
"Pouf, snorted Mrs Holcomb,
turning 10 her work irritably Don't
bother me about the people here,
Mary. don't want 10 know them.
There came hesitatLng tap on
the door. Mary opened il and look.
cd down on a small boy shyly twist.
ing corner OF his coat why,
hello," she exclaimed. recognizing
one Of the children from across the
hall. What can do for you?"
Annie says will YOU please lend
her egg" he got ont with one
breath
Il surely will answered Mary.
Then sudden thought coming
What's your name
william Henry smith" he re.
piled But everybody calls me
Bill
Mary smiled. We'll, Bill, come
in.
She led him to her mother This
is our neighbor, Bill Smith" she
said. He says Annie wants 20 Dor
row an egg
For a moment Mrs Holcomb
glared az him Then she asked,
frowning deeply Who Is Annie,
and what does she want with an
egg"
shes my sister answered Bin
smith. and she wants 10 make ,
ousjard TO take my mother, Ny
mothers been i'll the hospital an
awful long time. Bat she's comm
home soon" he chuckled with y
smile 'Tain't no cinch without %
fclicr's mother"
"Humph o." Mary looked around
quickly. Mrs Holcomb was staring
down al Bill Smith very queerIy.
suddenly she hustled into the pan
Try. returning in moment with two
eggs Here, said she, tell Annie
TO use two eggs Whoever heard OF
making a civilized custard with one
Run long now and--wait d minute. 90
She glanced at Mary, staring with
amazing interest out the window
then she whispered mysteriously and
Bill Smith waited 4 moment Mary
made no comment az suppertime.
when only small portion oi fresh
ly baked apple pie sraced the table.
The next day Mary left college
earlier than usual She went home
directly As she opened the doo.
voices came to her from the Kitchen
and her mothers laugh, which she
had not heard tor a long time She
paused She heard her mother say,
There's nothing in the world finer
for invalids than Irish moss jelly II
it, made right Now, Annie
Mary approached 10 where she
could view the kitchen Her mother
stood by the table. Annie beside
her. watching her every move. The
younger Smith children. particularly
Bill. were making inroads on a fine
chocolate cake, while the bride from
down the hall sat asking questions.
Mary stepped into the room as
though the scene before her was the
most natural thing in the world
She did not glance az her embar-
raised mother as she stood a mo
ment talking with the bride.
MY, ! was glad 10 meet your
mother this morning" she eX-
claimed. I've just been dying TO
ask her things, she looked 50 home.
like. You know, all | know is Office
work and" MARY darted a triumph
ant glance at her mother I've made
so many mistakes cooking But
wait until Mrs. Holcomb gets
through with me, Already shes
shown me how TO make the dandiest
meat pie"
Mary left them to their Jelly max
ing, and as her mothers hearty
laugh came to her frequently she
murmured Thank the Lord for Nlll
Smith"
That day marked the adoption Of
the Smiths and the bride by MIS-.
Holcomb. She practically took all
responsibility off Annie's shoulders,
and before long canned goods and
bakery goods ceased TO offend her