The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-03-01
THE GUEST
BY OLIVER LoRING.

Jerry opened the kitchen door with
floury fingers to let in the man with
the groceries.
Halfway across the kitchen floor
his ice-crusted heel slipped on the
linoleum and he went down with a
crash.
Good graciousp cried Jerry, "are
you hurt?n
NO" he said, getting to his feet and
eying the conglomeration of broken
bags on the floor.
N.Y. l thought you were Patsyw
PATSY? No, my names Dennis"
That's wretched joke" said Jerry
with contempt.
1T isn't joke" said Dennis, tits
the truth. How could it be a joker"
Look here, l haven't got time to
stand here and answer riddles. Just
look around at the kitchen and then
at the mess you've made all over my
floor and tell me if you think I'll get
through before the day after tomor-
row."
But Dennis only looked at her
smooth, flushed cheeks, swapping gray
eyes and the rebellious hair that shook
cufls over her forehead when she
talked.
Just look at ii, / say"
This time his eyes followed the di-
rection of her finger and he saw a
table full of pots and pans, bowls and
spoons ready for washing.
Jerry regarded him curiously. "Say,
are you really a grocery man or what,
all dressed up that way? And what's
the matter with Patsy today?"
Patsy couldn't come, so l came in
his place."
"Oh, l see! Well, do you know what
Patsy would do if ne spilled the beans
and coffee and things?"
He'd apologize suppose"
Apologize! Humph! He'd pick
'em all up"
But | was just going to-"
Going to? You're cyclone, aren't
you"
Dennis looked puzzled, but without
more talking he pulled up his trousers,
got down on his knees and went to
work.
SAY" said Jerry finally when three
neatly-assorted piles had been brought
out of the chaos. do you like choco-
late cake?"
Indeed l do" admitted Dennis.
"And doughnuts?"
you're right"
"And mince pie?"
Il like it very much, indeed"
well, I'm going to give you a sam
pie of each while I'm washing these
dishes. Sort of try 'em on the dog,
you might say, to see how they go. I'm
going to let you in on secret. I'm
not the girl. I'm the missus, or one
of them. There's three of us, Aunt
Genevieve and Meg and me. You'll
get to know us better some day. We're
poor as Jobs turkey and proud as
Lucifer-the whole bunch of us. That
is, Aunt Genevieve and Meg are. Pm
not"
Jerry set plate of good things be-
fore him and perched on the edge of
the table. well, they think I'm the
limit because I've got no family feel
ing, as they put it. Our mothers ia
Their was the seventh son of some
thing or other, and our fathers rela-
lives are all away up in G in England.
I a or 70. rfesff
of them" Jerry sighed, then sudden
ly, "Say, how's the pie?"
Its just Splendid" said Dennis.
II never tasted anything like it. You
are a wonderful cook, aren't your
"They all say that, and that's the
trouble. When anybodys coming |
have to spend days in the kitchen here
to get ready, and I'm nearly dead.
Why, you ought to see that pantry.
I've baked doughnuts and cakes and
pies and all sorts of things to get
ready for the earl"
1.-THE earl?"
ooh, forgot. / didn't finish about
Meg When she went to England
and when she found he was coming to
America this week she invited him to
visit us He's coming tomorrow. That's
why I'm fixing things. Gee, I'm tired"
ITS too bad" said Dennis sympa-
thetically, looking down at the head of
flying curls. "But I'm going to help
wash these pans and things. You don't
need to worry about my place. The
grocery boy had an accident and / was
passing. They took him home and the
truck to the garage. There was only
one box of groceries to be delivered, SO
l said I'd bring it in my car. Come on,
what do you do first?"
Jerry looked away in dismay. moth
ing. I'm not going to let you help
now. You run along home to your
wife and family and tell them the joke
ON me-"
81 have no wife and family, and |
can't see any joke on you. Come on
and show me what to do"
NO"
"You must. I've never had my word
disputed and I'm not going to now
Get me the-the towel and you wash
the things"
Suddenly Jerry laughed. II hope
Aunt Genevleye and Meg don't come
In and find you here"
Il hope they do" declared Dennis,
I'm proud of my company, and l was
never so happy in my life"
"But it isn't a question of you. It's
me. Won't you tell me your name and
xvharo won Iivn1u