Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-14

r HEARD a vehement clattering OF pots
i and pans as l entered the kitchen to give
Katie directions for the day before starting
on my sightseeing trip with my mother-
in-law.
Katie was standing by the sink, slamming
things around as II she was venting her
feelings upon the kitchen utensils. Her
eyes were bright with unshed tears her
face was unnaturaly flushed, she was evil
IDENTIFY IN towering temper
or course. I knew that she must have
overheard part OF our conversation, but
/ hoped IL ! pretended not TO notice her
anger she might recover herself.
Mrs Graham and / are going out.
Katie" ] said pleasantly. "Iler trunks VIII
be here some time this morning, | think,
perhaps not until this afternoon. There
is large trunk and steamer trunk. am
sure the charges are all paid. but II the
expressman should claim they are not pay
him what he asks out of this, and make him
give you receipt for the money"
held out two-dollar bill TO Katie, but
she shook her head mutlnously.
II no be here. I go home right away
Dot old womans, she call me sneak tief
/ nevaire touch her things. / not stay where
called dot"
did some rapid thinking In the next
minute. l felt that I simply must keep
Katie for n while. She knew my ways, she
was fairly efficient housekeeper and
above all she was capable of prtpdrink
nutritious, sppetizing meals. The history
class Of the Lotus Study Club. which
had promised to conduct would begin in
another week. II tried TO do that work
either without maid or while | was trying
to break in new one | knew that the
work or my home must suffer
thought I knew the surest way to re-
tain Katie's services. and I resolved to
take 1t, although not without misgivings.
Katie. I am ashamed Of you" said
coldly and firmly. in much the tone that
! would have used to n sullen Child--and,
| indeed she was no more Mrs Graham
did not call you "a sneak thief at all, You
| heard her say sneak thief. and the only
way you could have heard the word was
by listening at the keyhole Were you doing
that"
Purposelv I made my voice as contemptu-
Gus as possible. Katie dropped her eyes and
her lips Quivered.
81 want to hear what she say about me"
she said sulenly.
That wasn't the only reason, Katie" I
said and you know it." Then peremp-
torily, Katie. look at me :"
Katie raised her eyes to mine reluctantly.
knew the next minute or two would decide
whether Katie was to stay submissively or
go rebelliously.
You know, Katie" / went on, that
your greatest fault is curiosity. ! do not
think you mean any harm by it, but 1t leads
you into all kinds Of trouble and mistakes.
| have known that you have listened to con-
versatons before"
"Oh. no. no: | nevaire" began Katie
protestingly, but put up my hand author
itatively.
"Oh, yes, you have. Katie" I said, "and
it was curiosity that led you to go into
my trunk that time" ] paused, ! hoped i'm .
pressively. and said slowly Suppose /
had told my mother-in-law about that Katie
What do you think she would have sad?"
Katie looked at me in startled surprise.
You no tell her?" she quered Il thought
you tell her and dot reason she call me
tief"
You see, Katie" ! said slowly, that Is
the punishment Of people who listen to con-
versations not intended for them. They get