Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-10-03
TOO MUCH
EFFICIENCY
A CLEVER SERIAL STORY.
BY e. j. RATH.
Author Of when the Devil Was
Sick" One Cylinder Sam" etc.
\ CLEVER SERIAL STORY
CHAPTER Nv (Continued.)

Somehow Constance did not feel that
she had achieved an effective retort.
She did not want to be an apt pupil;
she did not in the least intend to be
of any assistance in promoting eion-
omy and efficiency.
Mr. Hedge sought to pursue his ad-
cantage.
You children must understand" he
said in friendly tone, that while l
have certain fixed ideas and stand
ards, and that while my profession
proceeds along certain we'll defined
lines, 1t is not necessarily complete
science. I shall always be glad to re-
ceive suggestions, provided that they
conform to the general theory and
principles of scientific management.
want you to feel free to come to me at
any time on such masters.
And in all matters, so far as that
is concerned, / expect, of course, that
you children will make me your con-
fidant and adviser.
"You children!" The expression
caused the three Brookes to writhe in
their chairs. Why, this interloper was
scarcely older than Billy Brooke!
To disguise his confusion the, latter
to Billy, Hedge was watching the pro-
ceeding narrowly.
"Will you kindly explain to me-" he
said suddenly, why you wave a match
eight times in order to extinguish it !"
Billy gaped at him.
You waved it eight times-so,' de-
clared Hedge. illustrating. Waste en-
ergy. An unnecessary physical effort
hn{ trht IAt 10
tinguish a match-so"
He lighted one, waited until the
flame had firmly caught the wood,
and puffed gently.
Waste of wind!" exclaimed Billy
triumphantly.
mot at ALL, 1t was necessary for me
to expel my breath. 1 merely took ad-
vantage of an inevitable by-product'
The Hedge person was thus far i'm
pervious. He had an annoying faculty
of turning thrust to his own advan-
tage.
Now, as to this ROOM" he remark
ed, glancing about. 81 take it that,
under normal conditions. 1t is utilized
but three times a day, during meals,
and then only by four persons"
Sometimes three" amended Con-
stance. "Father is never home at
luncheon"
Exactly" nodded. Hedge; land the
room is large enough for forty, in
stead of four persons. 1t represents
an intolerable waste-an investment
which yields no return
What would you suggest?" inquired
Billy frigidly.,
1T Is a problem 1 shall study. I
merely call your attention to II as an
evidence of unscientifc extravagance
1t represents an idea that I want you
to think about"
Alice frightened.
I'VE might take boarders,' she said.
There was an awful silence, during
which Constance and Billy eyed their
substitute father furtively. But again
he was impervious, although this time
he did not twist the suggestion into a
text for a lecture. He ignored It.
CHANGING at his watch with quick
movement he looked across the table
at Constance.
1--WE will rise, II you please" he
said.
The Brooks rose mechanically, as
though it were quite useless to offer
resistance. Besides, dinner was over.
II should like to examine the other
apartments on this floor" announced
Hedge.
Constance, naturally assuming the
lead, headed the procession out of the
dining room. She touched a button at
the entrance to an apartment across
the hall from the library and flooded
amined its rich furniture critically.
From a pocket he had produced a
small note book and pencil in which he
proceeded to make few brief entries.
What do you call this room?" he
asked.
Nothing particular" answered Con-
stance; lit is used to receive guests,
occasionally for dances or other en-
tertainments."
"Parlor," observed Hedge, making
note.
at is rot parlor." retorted Con-
stance coldly. "Parlors are vulgar"
Nevertheless, the maker of notes
made no erasure. Instead, he stepped
across the room and paused on the
threshold of smaller apartment.
"A music ROOM" explained Con-
stance. Beyond Is conservatory"
Mr.. Hedge made additional notes.
81 wish to see the library again." he
said
The procession retraced in its steps,
Mr.. Hedge pausing at the hallway to
extinguish the lights.
at is customary to leave them burn
ing" said Constance.
evidently" But he did not turn
them on again.
The library. that apartment into
which the efficiency man had made
his original entrance, afforded him an
exte0e opportunity for study. He
insp>cAed 1t more infinitely than the
rooms on the other side Of the hall. He
walked from end to end and side TO
side. stopping occasionally to examine
a shelf of books.
He took note of the great table in
the center and of two writing desks
that stood near a window.
He observed with slight frown an
innumerable number of electric bulbs,